No Preachment this week and no quick write-ups for this week's game. That will resume next week. Unforunately, I didn't really have the time to do one up this week with too many things to get done before heading off to Phoenix for the long weekend. And yes, I'll be at the Houston/Arizona game this week.
Looks like the only thing consistent with the picks has been getting 4 wrong every week (Last week I went 10 of 14) but we'll see if anything changes this week.
Season Record (Through 4 weeks) : 46-16
Week 5 Picks (Winners in CAPS):
Cincinatti @ BALTIMORE
Cleveland @ BUFFALO
Washington @ CAROLINA
PITTSBURGH @ Detroit
DALLAS @ Kansas City
Oakland @ NY GIANTS
Tampa Bay @ PHILADELPHIA
MINNESOTA @ St. Louis
ATLANTA @ San Francisco
NEW ENGLAND @ Denver
Jacksonville @ SEATTLE
Houston @ ARIZONA
INDIANAPOLIS @ Tennessee
NY JETS @ Miami
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Week Four Picks
Three weeks in and I've gone 12-4 in each of the three weeks. Not too shabby. I can't see it continuing, and that's not just because there's only 14 games this week. In any event, this week's going to be very interesting, and if you thought I made picks based on intangibles last week, read on...
Season Record: 36-12
(Teams on their Bye Week: Arizona, Atlanta, Carolina, Philadelphia)
Detroit @ CHICAGO - I don't think I need to justify this pick. If it comes back to bite me in the ass, then so be it. I'm not that much of a homer, even though I've picked the Bears to win every week this year. Ok fine, I am that much of a homer. Either way, the Lions are not coming into Chicago and winning this week.
CINCINATTI @ Cleveland - Initially, I made this pick in about 0.34 seconds. Then I thought twice about the decision. Typically when these two teams meet, it is a high-scoring, toilet-bowl type of game. This time around, the Browns are still crap, but the Bengals aren't. Did I actually say that just now? Also, Browns' coach Eric Mangini is playing his last card and going to Derek Anderson at quarterback. Anyone know who their third quarterback is? Neither do I...Anyways, one thing is different about this Bengals team as opposed to years past -- the defense is actually good. Tough to imagine isn't it? Yeah, I know. Still, I'm going with the Bengals, who actually should be 3-0. Yeah, I actually said that too.
Oakland @ HOUSTON - So I've called every Houston game wrong so far. If I get this week's game wrong against the Raiders, then I have nothing more to say. JaMarcus Russell is completely terrible. How do you pass for 61 yards in a football game? Can someone please explain that to me? The scary thing about this game is that Houston's defence is so bad that this game might actually be close. Not to mention, they still haven't won a game at home yet. Still, I'm not betting on Ja-Moron.
Seattle @ INDIANAPOLIS - The Colts appear to be in typical early-season form. I came out in this week's preachment and called Jim Mora Jr. "classless" for what he said in the post-game after losing at home to the Bears. I stand by that comment, and truly beleive that is going to lead to some accountability issues in the Seattle dressing room. Couple that with injury problems at quarterback, on the offensive line, and in the secondary and you're already facing an uphill battle. Not to mention, this is a road game where you are heading into Indianapolis to face Peyton Manning. I don't think I can drink enough booze to make me pick the Seahawks this week.
TENNESSEE @ Jacksonville - I dont care what happened in Houston last week, but Jacksonville still sucks. I am simply betting the law of averages here. I don't think that Tennessee is going to go 0-4. No analysis, no game film, nothing. Law. Of. Averages.
NEW YORK GIANTS @ Kansas City - If you saw what the Philly defensive line did to Matt Cassell, then I'm sure you can imagine what's going to happen this week against the Giants. On the bright side, the Chiefs will get to play Washington this year...then again they lost to the Raiders...Wake me up when the Chiefs are worth talking about.
Baltimore @ NEW ENGLAND - This will be one of the week's best games (I hope). 3-0 Baltimore travel to Gillette Stadium to take on the Patriots, and will be their toughest test to date. I've been calling the Ravens the best team in the NFL right now, but I'm going to take that back until after this game. If they win this game, road wins at San Diego and New England in two consecutive weeks will impress me alot and convince me that they are the best at that point. But something in my gut tells me that the Patriots are going to find a way to win this game.
Tampa Bay @ WASHINGTON - First of all, who cares? Second of all, fire Jim Zorn. Third of all, I don't like quarterbacks making their first career NFL start against good defences on the road. For how bad the Redskins have played thusfar, this pick makes no sense. Remember kids, most times in the NFL, things don't make sense.
Buffalo @ MIAMI - Contrary to the above, the Miami Dolphins have a quarterback (Chad Henne) making his first start but at home! Plus, the Buffalo defence is not spectacular and even lost DB Leodis McKelvin for the season. Hey, and it's not like the Dolphins didn't know that Henne was going to get in there at some point this year anyways. They knew this was coming, only it came a little faster. I have a feeling that just because the Dolphins are 0-3, alot of people are going to write them off this week. When you write a team off who is playing at home, you'd be surprised what that does to their moxy, especially when you add a quarterback change to the mix (which is for the best in the long run). Oh, and the annual Terrell Owens circus is in mid-season form.
New York Jets @ NEW ORLEANS - One of these teams has to lose, and I guess we'll just have to wait and see what wins in this game - explosive offense or punishing defence. This game is going to be one of the most split games this week in terms of picking the winner. I literally tossed a coin here. If I get this pick wrong I might have to go see a doctor after last week's New Orleans pick.
DALLAS @ Denver - This game is going to be interesting. After starting 3-0, the Broncos are definitely going to be playing with alot of confidence at home on Sunday. For Dallas, this will be their first half-competitive road test on the year, after beating up on the Bucs in Week One. The Cowboys might be a little dinged up in the backfield right now, but after the miracle play in Week One, the Browns, and Raiders, I think the Broncos come back down to earth a little after this weekend.
St. Louis @ SAN FRANCISCO - If it wasn't for Brett Favre heroics last week, the 49ers would be 3-0. I'm pretty sure they are pissed off. Have you seen the look on Mike Singletary's face when he gets pissed off? Have you? Now, they get the Rams at home this week, who are starting Kyle Boller at quarterback. Boller might as well be throwing to the Deacon right now with who they have lined up at WR. Don't think twice -- Take the Niners.
SAN DIEGO @ Pittsburgh - I changed this pick at the last minute, seconds before I typed this out. Why? I truly believe that this Steelers' team is a completely different team without Troy Polamalu. I don't know what it is. Actually, I know what it is, but this team has too many problems to have to figure out how to make up for not having Polamalu in the lineup. Where are the Steelers weak right now because of it? Where does Phillip Rivers and San Diego excel as of late? I know it's hard to pick against the defending champs for 3 weeks in a row, but here we are.
GREEN BAY @ Minnesota - Two road teams this week in prime time??? I must be crazy, but I told you about the intagibles...If anyone thinks that Brett Favre came back to play football this year for reasons other than "Getting a chance to stick it to the Packers", then I'm not sure what to say. If he wanted to play football, then he could have stayed in New York. This is -- and always has been -- about him being able to play against the Packers. When he signed with the Vikings, you can bet October 5th was circled on his calendar, and he'd roll his hillbilly ass (I love saying that) out there in a wheelchair to play if he had to. This is a huge game, for a ton of reasons. The Vikings are 3-0 and the Packers are 2-1. After their bye next week, the Packers host Detroit and head to Cleveland (both very winnable games) before hosting the Vikings at (deepen voice) Lammmmbeau Fielddddd. It's hard not to look forward to that game, even if I hate both of these teams. Then I thought to myself, "How can that game get any bigger than it already is?" All I came up with was: The Packers strike the first blow in Round One.
- Deacon Touchback
Season Record: 36-12
(Teams on their Bye Week: Arizona, Atlanta, Carolina, Philadelphia)
Detroit @ CHICAGO - I don't think I need to justify this pick. If it comes back to bite me in the ass, then so be it. I'm not that much of a homer, even though I've picked the Bears to win every week this year. Ok fine, I am that much of a homer. Either way, the Lions are not coming into Chicago and winning this week.
CINCINATTI @ Cleveland - Initially, I made this pick in about 0.34 seconds. Then I thought twice about the decision. Typically when these two teams meet, it is a high-scoring, toilet-bowl type of game. This time around, the Browns are still crap, but the Bengals aren't. Did I actually say that just now? Also, Browns' coach Eric Mangini is playing his last card and going to Derek Anderson at quarterback. Anyone know who their third quarterback is? Neither do I...Anyways, one thing is different about this Bengals team as opposed to years past -- the defense is actually good. Tough to imagine isn't it? Yeah, I know. Still, I'm going with the Bengals, who actually should be 3-0. Yeah, I actually said that too.
Oakland @ HOUSTON - So I've called every Houston game wrong so far. If I get this week's game wrong against the Raiders, then I have nothing more to say. JaMarcus Russell is completely terrible. How do you pass for 61 yards in a football game? Can someone please explain that to me? The scary thing about this game is that Houston's defence is so bad that this game might actually be close. Not to mention, they still haven't won a game at home yet. Still, I'm not betting on Ja-Moron.
Seattle @ INDIANAPOLIS - The Colts appear to be in typical early-season form. I came out in this week's preachment and called Jim Mora Jr. "classless" for what he said in the post-game after losing at home to the Bears. I stand by that comment, and truly beleive that is going to lead to some accountability issues in the Seattle dressing room. Couple that with injury problems at quarterback, on the offensive line, and in the secondary and you're already facing an uphill battle. Not to mention, this is a road game where you are heading into Indianapolis to face Peyton Manning. I don't think I can drink enough booze to make me pick the Seahawks this week.
TENNESSEE @ Jacksonville - I dont care what happened in Houston last week, but Jacksonville still sucks. I am simply betting the law of averages here. I don't think that Tennessee is going to go 0-4. No analysis, no game film, nothing. Law. Of. Averages.
NEW YORK GIANTS @ Kansas City - If you saw what the Philly defensive line did to Matt Cassell, then I'm sure you can imagine what's going to happen this week against the Giants. On the bright side, the Chiefs will get to play Washington this year...then again they lost to the Raiders...Wake me up when the Chiefs are worth talking about.
Baltimore @ NEW ENGLAND - This will be one of the week's best games (I hope). 3-0 Baltimore travel to Gillette Stadium to take on the Patriots, and will be their toughest test to date. I've been calling the Ravens the best team in the NFL right now, but I'm going to take that back until after this game. If they win this game, road wins at San Diego and New England in two consecutive weeks will impress me alot and convince me that they are the best at that point. But something in my gut tells me that the Patriots are going to find a way to win this game.
Tampa Bay @ WASHINGTON - First of all, who cares? Second of all, fire Jim Zorn. Third of all, I don't like quarterbacks making their first career NFL start against good defences on the road. For how bad the Redskins have played thusfar, this pick makes no sense. Remember kids, most times in the NFL, things don't make sense.
Buffalo @ MIAMI - Contrary to the above, the Miami Dolphins have a quarterback (Chad Henne) making his first start but at home! Plus, the Buffalo defence is not spectacular and even lost DB Leodis McKelvin for the season. Hey, and it's not like the Dolphins didn't know that Henne was going to get in there at some point this year anyways. They knew this was coming, only it came a little faster. I have a feeling that just because the Dolphins are 0-3, alot of people are going to write them off this week. When you write a team off who is playing at home, you'd be surprised what that does to their moxy, especially when you add a quarterback change to the mix (which is for the best in the long run). Oh, and the annual Terrell Owens circus is in mid-season form.
New York Jets @ NEW ORLEANS - One of these teams has to lose, and I guess we'll just have to wait and see what wins in this game - explosive offense or punishing defence. This game is going to be one of the most split games this week in terms of picking the winner. I literally tossed a coin here. If I get this pick wrong I might have to go see a doctor after last week's New Orleans pick.
DALLAS @ Denver - This game is going to be interesting. After starting 3-0, the Broncos are definitely going to be playing with alot of confidence at home on Sunday. For Dallas, this will be their first half-competitive road test on the year, after beating up on the Bucs in Week One. The Cowboys might be a little dinged up in the backfield right now, but after the miracle play in Week One, the Browns, and Raiders, I think the Broncos come back down to earth a little after this weekend.
St. Louis @ SAN FRANCISCO - If it wasn't for Brett Favre heroics last week, the 49ers would be 3-0. I'm pretty sure they are pissed off. Have you seen the look on Mike Singletary's face when he gets pissed off? Have you? Now, they get the Rams at home this week, who are starting Kyle Boller at quarterback. Boller might as well be throwing to the Deacon right now with who they have lined up at WR. Don't think twice -- Take the Niners.
SAN DIEGO @ Pittsburgh - I changed this pick at the last minute, seconds before I typed this out. Why? I truly believe that this Steelers' team is a completely different team without Troy Polamalu. I don't know what it is. Actually, I know what it is, but this team has too many problems to have to figure out how to make up for not having Polamalu in the lineup. Where are the Steelers weak right now because of it? Where does Phillip Rivers and San Diego excel as of late? I know it's hard to pick against the defending champs for 3 weeks in a row, but here we are.
GREEN BAY @ Minnesota - Two road teams this week in prime time??? I must be crazy, but I told you about the intagibles...If anyone thinks that Brett Favre came back to play football this year for reasons other than "Getting a chance to stick it to the Packers", then I'm not sure what to say. If he wanted to play football, then he could have stayed in New York. This is -- and always has been -- about him being able to play against the Packers. When he signed with the Vikings, you can bet October 5th was circled on his calendar, and he'd roll his hillbilly ass (I love saying that) out there in a wheelchair to play if he had to. This is a huge game, for a ton of reasons. The Vikings are 3-0 and the Packers are 2-1. After their bye next week, the Packers host Detroit and head to Cleveland (both very winnable games) before hosting the Vikings at (deepen voice) Lammmmbeau Fielddddd. It's hard not to look forward to that game, even if I hate both of these teams. Then I thought to myself, "How can that game get any bigger than it already is?" All I came up with was: The Packers strike the first blow in Round One.
- Deacon Touchback
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Deacon's Post-Week Preachment (Week 3)
I think this week was the 'Week of the Injury' or the 'Week of Identity'. In many cases, teams were either getting hit hard with injuries, or they were finally realizing who they are.
In the NFL, coaches love to split up the season into quarters, and after this week most teams (aside from those who are on byes this week) will have reached the end of the first quarter.
After the end of the first quarter in the NFL season, most teams should have a good idea of where they stand in the league. You should be able to describe most teams in about six or seven words. For example, take the Oakland Raiders; Terrible quarterback, senile owner, above average talent. See how easy that is?
But some teams are still trying to find their identity, like Carolina. I have no idea what to think about this team. Here's a team that I knew would regress from last year's 12-4 season, but I can't really describe them. Honestly, I don't really think they can either and if a team doesn't know who they are, or does not have an identity, much like other businesses, they will fail.
Right now, there's quite a few failures out there.
Without futher delay, this week's preachment:
- I thought the Browns would put up a better fight against the Ravens, but I was wrong. The Ravens look like the best team in the NFL right now, even if two of those wins came against the Chiefs and the Browns.
- This year's most improbable 3-0 team has to be the New York Jets. At the beginning of the season, I don't think there was anyone out there (including the Jets) who thought they would be 3-0. Conversely, the Tennesee Titans are 0-3, and are better than their records suggests, but I dont think by much?
- Speaking of 3-0, the New York Giants rolled the Bucs to remain perfect, and Byron Leftwich has again lost a starting quarterback gig. No surprises there.
- Greg Jennings was found this past week after disappearing in Week Two without a single catch. I'm not sure what was more surprising, that or the fact that St. Louis scored 17 points.
- No McNabb? No Westbrook? No problem. I think Kansas City would have even lost to Penn State this week.
- What do the Patriots love to do? Take away your best weapon. In the passing game for the Falcons, that's Tony Gonzalez. The Pats held him in check and controlled most of the game. The Falcons were not able to get much pressure on the quarterback either, and when Brady gets 5 seconds to throw the ball, that's not a good thing.
- Damn Brett Favre and his comeback heroics! I was really ticked off when I saw that last play, and didn't need a replay to know that it was a touchdown. How sad is it that one of the most memorable moments in his career will be when he was wearing purple? My hate for him grows.
- Ok, so your starting running back is looking good in the fourth quarter, you're down by seven inside the goal-line, and you bring in your backup to run the ball? If you're Gary Kubiak, you have to leave Steve Slaton in the game to run that ball, or put the ball in the hands of Matt Schaub. What happens? Chris Brown fumbles at the goal-line. The Texans give me a headache.
- Finally the losing streak ends. I was really hoping it was going to continue, but then I became overwhlemed with 'I wonder if they will fire Zorn on the plane' thoughts. Then I realized that at this point in the season, while he is definitely on the hot seat, he wont get fired until the season is completely lost. Apaprently the Redskins still think that the season can be salvaged and that they can't axe him yet. I think losing to the Lions is good enough, but what do I know? On a side note, I think they are still partying in Detroit.
- Thank you New Orleans, thank you.
- While we're on thank you's, I'd like to thank Olindo Mare for his efforts this week. Also, I'd like to add that Jim Mora Jr's comments after the game - essentially tossing his kicker under the bus - were extremely classless. I'm sure the guy feels bad enough, and they make it seem like TJ's fumble or the other costly turnover they had didn't matter. Or the fact that they couldn't generate touchdowns inside the red zone. I'm starting to think that there's something there that explains why his old man didn't win anything as a coach either...
- Oh how the Steelers miss Troy Polamalu...
- I hate to see it happen due to an injury, but I told everyone that the Chad Henne era was about to begin in Miami. I feel really bad for Chad Pennington to be honest. I'm sure he'll become a really good coach or something though, because I think his playing days are over.
- I'm not going to go into too much depth here but JaMarcus Russell may be the worst top 10 pick of all time. He has actually managed to get worse in the last three years. It's disguting to watch him play, and I'm not even a Raiders fan. How do you toss for 61 yards? Also, how the hell are the Broncos 3-0?
- What can't you do in the first half of a game against a team like the Colts? How about two turnovers in the red zone? That game would have been 21-17 possibly at half-time, but instead, that game was over after two quarters. The Colts look good early on as per usual, and we'll see if they can keep it up. I'm thinking they will.
- After the Monday Night Football game, we know a couple things. One, the Coybows are a pretty good team and the Panthers aren't. Two, the Cowboys need to be a run first team with the runningbacks they have, which will make life easier on Tony Romo and provide more consistent production out of him. Three, the Panthers are officially in shambles, and are one of those teams who can't figure out their identity. Four, Wade Phillips is still an idiot. Five, Jerry Jones s a visionary for pretty much having the equivalent of cage dancers in the new stadium. Thank you, Jerry. Thank you.
- Deacon Touchback
In the NFL, coaches love to split up the season into quarters, and after this week most teams (aside from those who are on byes this week) will have reached the end of the first quarter.
After the end of the first quarter in the NFL season, most teams should have a good idea of where they stand in the league. You should be able to describe most teams in about six or seven words. For example, take the Oakland Raiders; Terrible quarterback, senile owner, above average talent. See how easy that is?
But some teams are still trying to find their identity, like Carolina. I have no idea what to think about this team. Here's a team that I knew would regress from last year's 12-4 season, but I can't really describe them. Honestly, I don't really think they can either and if a team doesn't know who they are, or does not have an identity, much like other businesses, they will fail.
Right now, there's quite a few failures out there.
Without futher delay, this week's preachment:
- I thought the Browns would put up a better fight against the Ravens, but I was wrong. The Ravens look like the best team in the NFL right now, even if two of those wins came against the Chiefs and the Browns.
- This year's most improbable 3-0 team has to be the New York Jets. At the beginning of the season, I don't think there was anyone out there (including the Jets) who thought they would be 3-0. Conversely, the Tennesee Titans are 0-3, and are better than their records suggests, but I dont think by much?
- Speaking of 3-0, the New York Giants rolled the Bucs to remain perfect, and Byron Leftwich has again lost a starting quarterback gig. No surprises there.
- Greg Jennings was found this past week after disappearing in Week Two without a single catch. I'm not sure what was more surprising, that or the fact that St. Louis scored 17 points.
- No McNabb? No Westbrook? No problem. I think Kansas City would have even lost to Penn State this week.
- What do the Patriots love to do? Take away your best weapon. In the passing game for the Falcons, that's Tony Gonzalez. The Pats held him in check and controlled most of the game. The Falcons were not able to get much pressure on the quarterback either, and when Brady gets 5 seconds to throw the ball, that's not a good thing.
- Damn Brett Favre and his comeback heroics! I was really ticked off when I saw that last play, and didn't need a replay to know that it was a touchdown. How sad is it that one of the most memorable moments in his career will be when he was wearing purple? My hate for him grows.
- Ok, so your starting running back is looking good in the fourth quarter, you're down by seven inside the goal-line, and you bring in your backup to run the ball? If you're Gary Kubiak, you have to leave Steve Slaton in the game to run that ball, or put the ball in the hands of Matt Schaub. What happens? Chris Brown fumbles at the goal-line. The Texans give me a headache.
- Finally the losing streak ends. I was really hoping it was going to continue, but then I became overwhlemed with 'I wonder if they will fire Zorn on the plane' thoughts. Then I realized that at this point in the season, while he is definitely on the hot seat, he wont get fired until the season is completely lost. Apaprently the Redskins still think that the season can be salvaged and that they can't axe him yet. I think losing to the Lions is good enough, but what do I know? On a side note, I think they are still partying in Detroit.
- Thank you New Orleans, thank you.
- While we're on thank you's, I'd like to thank Olindo Mare for his efforts this week. Also, I'd like to add that Jim Mora Jr's comments after the game - essentially tossing his kicker under the bus - were extremely classless. I'm sure the guy feels bad enough, and they make it seem like TJ's fumble or the other costly turnover they had didn't matter. Or the fact that they couldn't generate touchdowns inside the red zone. I'm starting to think that there's something there that explains why his old man didn't win anything as a coach either...
- Oh how the Steelers miss Troy Polamalu...
- I hate to see it happen due to an injury, but I told everyone that the Chad Henne era was about to begin in Miami. I feel really bad for Chad Pennington to be honest. I'm sure he'll become a really good coach or something though, because I think his playing days are over.
- I'm not going to go into too much depth here but JaMarcus Russell may be the worst top 10 pick of all time. He has actually managed to get worse in the last three years. It's disguting to watch him play, and I'm not even a Raiders fan. How do you toss for 61 yards? Also, how the hell are the Broncos 3-0?
- What can't you do in the first half of a game against a team like the Colts? How about two turnovers in the red zone? That game would have been 21-17 possibly at half-time, but instead, that game was over after two quarters. The Colts look good early on as per usual, and we'll see if they can keep it up. I'm thinking they will.
- After the Monday Night Football game, we know a couple things. One, the Coybows are a pretty good team and the Panthers aren't. Two, the Cowboys need to be a run first team with the runningbacks they have, which will make life easier on Tony Romo and provide more consistent production out of him. Three, the Panthers are officially in shambles, and are one of those teams who can't figure out their identity. Four, Wade Phillips is still an idiot. Five, Jerry Jones s a visionary for pretty much having the equivalent of cage dancers in the new stadium. Thank you, Jerry. Thank you.
- Deacon Touchback
Friday, September 25, 2009
Week Three Picks
It has been a good start to the season with a 24-8 record, but things can change fast with one bad week of picks. There are a good handful of games this week where I've heard alot of arguments for both teams in a matchup, and there are others that appear to be no-brainers. Then again, Green Bay over the Bengals at home was a no brainer last week right? Wrong...Wrong!
Season record after Week Two: 24-8
Week Three picks in CAPS:
Cleveland @ BALTIMORE - I'm not too sure what people think here, but the Browns are not going into Baltimore and stealing a game this week. This is an important division matchup and rivalry game, and the Ravens are a tough, physical, disciplined team who all of a sudden has a nice offense too. The Ravens may not cover the spread, but they should win this game just fine.
WASHINGTON @ Detroit - Look, I know that this is where I'm supposed to back my 'Fire Jim Zorn' talk but, I just can't pick the Lions to win a game, even at home, even against a struggling Redskins team. I know they eventually have to win a game, and I know that this is the 'sexy pick' that everyone is making this week, but when everyone looks one way, I tend to go the other. I have no better reason for this pick, and to be quite honest, this picks scares me. (Fantasy Football side note: Jason Hanson may be a sneaky Kicker spot play in fantasy leagues if he's available...keep it in mind)
Jacksonville @ HOUSTON - Ok, so last week no one saw the Texans coming and they go into Tennessee and win an old fashioned shootout. This week people are on them and what am I supposed to think? Well in Week One they played a much improved Jets team, and lost at home, and we saw what happened last week. Jacksonville has not really done much to inspire me this year, and Houston should give a much better second effort at home this week. Plus, Rashean Mathis is not going to blanket Andre Johnson ala Darelle Revis in Week One. I'm taking the Texans to grab a share of the division lead.
Atlanta @ NEW ENGLAND - New England has not had a losing streak since 2006. That it all I've got here. Then again, Matt Ryan is probably one of the few quarterbacks that could shock New England and snap that 'no losing streak' trend. Oh, and Wes Welker is a game-time decision...Hmmm, if he doesn't play I might want to change this pick...
GREEN BAY @ St. Louis - As bad as the Packers are at protecting Aaron Rodgers, the Rams are worse at protecting Marc Bulger. Give the ball to Steven Jackson St. Louis! It's the only chance you have!
NEW YORK GIANTS @ Tampa Bay - If I told you that the Bucs ranked 4th in total offense (yards per game) you'd probably laugh. Well, laugh or not - it's the truth. The Giants lost Kenny Phillips to a season-ending injury, so he'll have more time to sign helmets while he recovers (for those who watch the NFL Network, you know what I'm talking about). I think the Giants are better at almost every single position, including WR (with Antonio Bryant still sidelined). Yeah, I can't take the Bucs.
Tennessee @ NEW YORK JETS - Ok, so I've picked against the Jets twice now and they've burned me twice, so that probably means that this week I get this pick wrong. But, just like the pick above keeping the 'Doormat Losing Streak' alive for another week, I'm going against most and taking the Jets. Yes, they are ripe for a letdown after that huge win against the Patriots last week. Yes, the Titans lost last week due to some mental errors that are correctable. Yes, the Titans are a talented team who is desperate for a win this week. Yes, I've heard about the 'tendonitis' reports in Mark Sanchez's knee. But you know what, they are still at home, they have fans excited, that defence is that good, and I'm still taking the Jets. Because if they can stop the run like they do, and get after the quarterback like they do, then considering what they made Matt Schaub and Tom Brady look like...you know where I'm going with this...Yeah, after this week the Jets may actually drive Kerry Collins back to the bottle...
Kansas City @ PHILADELPHIA- The Chiefs lost at home last week thanks to a fourth quarter 80 yard game-winning drive led by JaMarcus Russell. If that's not a confidence killer, I have no idea what is. It's still early in the season, but the Chiefs are in ultimate 'clean house' mode right now, and taking that circus on the road to Philly just screams trouble.
San Francisco @ MINNESOTA - Once again, I know that I've been really pimping the Niners lately, and they are looking like a good team right now. But something tells me that if I take them, I'll be off. I tried to think about the even matchup here, and then I realized that (as much as it pains me to say it) Minnesota may have the best player in the league on their team (and no, Sports Illustrated, I'm not talking about Brett Favre). In games like this, at home, that matters. It could also very well be the difference. (Fantasy Football side note: I like Joe Nedney to blast two 50+ yard FGs this week in the dome...just a prediction)
NEW ORLEANS @ Buffalo - See what I mean about all these tough picks? I really want to take the Bills this week. I really do. Buffalo should be 2-0, are playing good football, and Ralph Wilson Stadium is a tough place to play. That being said...there's not much in Buffalo to distract visiting teams from coming in and taking care of business, and New Orleans is scoring more points than I could score with the Cowboys playing a game of Tecmo Bowl...I just can't bet against that offense right now. Buffalo is like that smart chick in high school that no one really noticed until grad. Then all of a sudden you're like, WHOA! New Orleans is the easy chick who was always hot for as long as you knew her. Then one night when you're drunk at the bar when they are both there and you can't decide who to try and hit on. Then you just assume that you've got a better chance with the proven track record. Then you wake up next morning with herpes. New Orleans, please don't have herpes...
CHICAGO @ Seattle - Seahawks can fly over bears, so it would be tough for bears to catch them normally. But when they lose their wings, or, a starting QB and some ten other starters or so, then what? Well, I imagine the bears would have an easier time killing said seahawks and then eating them.
Pittsburgh @ CINCINATTI - I'm going to get burned with this pick. I can feel it. Polamalu out means this Steelers team is not the same. Plus, they can't run the ball. How is that different from last year? Not much, aside from Polamalu. But the Bengals all of a sudden are running the ball well, and this is a division game at home for a team that really should be 2-0. If the Bengals got to Aaron Rodgers with such ease last week, there's not much reason to why they can't get to Big Ben. I see alot of work out of the shotgun for the Steelers in this one, but I'm going to guess that the 'good Bengals' come out to play this week and edge the Steelers at home by a field goal.
Denver @ OAKLAND - One of the wierdest football plays I've ever seen plus a home game against the Browns equals 2-0 for Denver. I've also been killing JaMarcus Russell in my posts because he's really that terrible. But we're talking about a three way tie potentially in the AFC West this week kids! How awesome would that be!?! Oakland is a much different team at home too and I still think the Broncos suck. Oh, and I'm pretty sure Mr. Orton has never been introduced to Mr. Nnamdi Asomugha. Your field to throw on pretty much just got cut in half. Have fun, Kyle.
Miami @ SAN DIEGO - I'm all about the intagibles this week it seems. Well, in a league that you can't predict with great accuracy, why the heck not? Miami is playing on a short week, after controlling the time of possession at home 45 minutes to Indianapolis' 15, and still lost. Not to mention it only took their defence 8 posessions to force 3 punts and give up 27 points. Oh, and did we mention that they are travelling to San Diego? Nothing says 'potential beatdown' like a team who is losing confidence and travelling to a city where there shouldn't be too much focus on football. San Diego is starting to say goodbye to LT, and this team is going to go as far as Phillip Rivers will take them. Rivers managed a career-high in passing yards against the Ravens. The Ravens! Miami's secondary is terrible. San Diego shouldn't lose two in a row at home. Do the math. They should teach this stuff in third grade.
Indianapolis @ ARIZONA - Contrary to the Miami offense that was on the field for 45 minutes, the Indianapolis DEFENCE was on the field for those 45 minutes as well, and is working with a short week. . It's hard enough going to play in that climate in Miami, but for your defensive unit to be out there for 45 minutes!?! They should definitely be taxed going into this game. By the way, who said that Kurt Warner needed Todd Haley after Week One? Turns out all he needed was a healthy Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. Huh, who knew? Warner was 24/26 for 243 yards and 2 TDs. I don't care who that's against, that's sick. Peyton Manning had a great game too with his 14/23 for 303 and 2 TD performance. What am I saying? Well, expect points. Lots of points. But I give the edge to the home team in this one.
Carolina @ DALLAS - Ok, so I didn't expect Tony Romo to post a 29.6 passer rating last week, BUT they almost still beat a tough, physical, well-coached team despite it all. For his career, Tony Romo's passer rating is 94.2. That's one heck of a rating when you look at it. Another thing about that number is that for an individual season, it's never been higher than 98 or lower than 92. What am I getting at? Oddly enough, it conveys consistency somewhat. So if this guy is a career 94.2 rated passer, it's not likely he'll follow up a performance like last week's with another similar one. I think we're going to see a very good Cowboys team on Monday Night Football this week, but if history has taught us anything about the Cowboys in primetime, it's that this game is going to not only be close, but contain alot of points as well. Hopefully the 'Boys don't burn me again for backing them. Hmmm, 'Boys burn for backing. Alliteration. Nice way to end off the column this week.
That's it for this week. Enjoy this week's games everyone!!
- Deacon Touchback
Season record after Week Two: 24-8
Week Three picks in CAPS:
Cleveland @ BALTIMORE - I'm not too sure what people think here, but the Browns are not going into Baltimore and stealing a game this week. This is an important division matchup and rivalry game, and the Ravens are a tough, physical, disciplined team who all of a sudden has a nice offense too. The Ravens may not cover the spread, but they should win this game just fine.
WASHINGTON @ Detroit - Look, I know that this is where I'm supposed to back my 'Fire Jim Zorn' talk but, I just can't pick the Lions to win a game, even at home, even against a struggling Redskins team. I know they eventually have to win a game, and I know that this is the 'sexy pick' that everyone is making this week, but when everyone looks one way, I tend to go the other. I have no better reason for this pick, and to be quite honest, this picks scares me. (Fantasy Football side note: Jason Hanson may be a sneaky Kicker spot play in fantasy leagues if he's available...keep it in mind)
Jacksonville @ HOUSTON - Ok, so last week no one saw the Texans coming and they go into Tennessee and win an old fashioned shootout. This week people are on them and what am I supposed to think? Well in Week One they played a much improved Jets team, and lost at home, and we saw what happened last week. Jacksonville has not really done much to inspire me this year, and Houston should give a much better second effort at home this week. Plus, Rashean Mathis is not going to blanket Andre Johnson ala Darelle Revis in Week One. I'm taking the Texans to grab a share of the division lead.
Atlanta @ NEW ENGLAND - New England has not had a losing streak since 2006. That it all I've got here. Then again, Matt Ryan is probably one of the few quarterbacks that could shock New England and snap that 'no losing streak' trend. Oh, and Wes Welker is a game-time decision...Hmmm, if he doesn't play I might want to change this pick...
GREEN BAY @ St. Louis - As bad as the Packers are at protecting Aaron Rodgers, the Rams are worse at protecting Marc Bulger. Give the ball to Steven Jackson St. Louis! It's the only chance you have!
NEW YORK GIANTS @ Tampa Bay - If I told you that the Bucs ranked 4th in total offense (yards per game) you'd probably laugh. Well, laugh or not - it's the truth. The Giants lost Kenny Phillips to a season-ending injury, so he'll have more time to sign helmets while he recovers (for those who watch the NFL Network, you know what I'm talking about). I think the Giants are better at almost every single position, including WR (with Antonio Bryant still sidelined). Yeah, I can't take the Bucs.
Tennessee @ NEW YORK JETS - Ok, so I've picked against the Jets twice now and they've burned me twice, so that probably means that this week I get this pick wrong. But, just like the pick above keeping the 'Doormat Losing Streak' alive for another week, I'm going against most and taking the Jets. Yes, they are ripe for a letdown after that huge win against the Patriots last week. Yes, the Titans lost last week due to some mental errors that are correctable. Yes, the Titans are a talented team who is desperate for a win this week. Yes, I've heard about the 'tendonitis' reports in Mark Sanchez's knee. But you know what, they are still at home, they have fans excited, that defence is that good, and I'm still taking the Jets. Because if they can stop the run like they do, and get after the quarterback like they do, then considering what they made Matt Schaub and Tom Brady look like...you know where I'm going with this...Yeah, after this week the Jets may actually drive Kerry Collins back to the bottle...
Kansas City @ PHILADELPHIA- The Chiefs lost at home last week thanks to a fourth quarter 80 yard game-winning drive led by JaMarcus Russell. If that's not a confidence killer, I have no idea what is. It's still early in the season, but the Chiefs are in ultimate 'clean house' mode right now, and taking that circus on the road to Philly just screams trouble.
San Francisco @ MINNESOTA - Once again, I know that I've been really pimping the Niners lately, and they are looking like a good team right now. But something tells me that if I take them, I'll be off. I tried to think about the even matchup here, and then I realized that (as much as it pains me to say it) Minnesota may have the best player in the league on their team (and no, Sports Illustrated, I'm not talking about Brett Favre). In games like this, at home, that matters. It could also very well be the difference. (Fantasy Football side note: I like Joe Nedney to blast two 50+ yard FGs this week in the dome...just a prediction)
NEW ORLEANS @ Buffalo - See what I mean about all these tough picks? I really want to take the Bills this week. I really do. Buffalo should be 2-0, are playing good football, and Ralph Wilson Stadium is a tough place to play. That being said...there's not much in Buffalo to distract visiting teams from coming in and taking care of business, and New Orleans is scoring more points than I could score with the Cowboys playing a game of Tecmo Bowl...I just can't bet against that offense right now. Buffalo is like that smart chick in high school that no one really noticed until grad. Then all of a sudden you're like, WHOA! New Orleans is the easy chick who was always hot for as long as you knew her. Then one night when you're drunk at the bar when they are both there and you can't decide who to try and hit on. Then you just assume that you've got a better chance with the proven track record. Then you wake up next morning with herpes. New Orleans, please don't have herpes...
CHICAGO @ Seattle - Seahawks can fly over bears, so it would be tough for bears to catch them normally. But when they lose their wings, or, a starting QB and some ten other starters or so, then what? Well, I imagine the bears would have an easier time killing said seahawks and then eating them.
Pittsburgh @ CINCINATTI - I'm going to get burned with this pick. I can feel it. Polamalu out means this Steelers team is not the same. Plus, they can't run the ball. How is that different from last year? Not much, aside from Polamalu. But the Bengals all of a sudden are running the ball well, and this is a division game at home for a team that really should be 2-0. If the Bengals got to Aaron Rodgers with such ease last week, there's not much reason to why they can't get to Big Ben. I see alot of work out of the shotgun for the Steelers in this one, but I'm going to guess that the 'good Bengals' come out to play this week and edge the Steelers at home by a field goal.
Denver @ OAKLAND - One of the wierdest football plays I've ever seen plus a home game against the Browns equals 2-0 for Denver. I've also been killing JaMarcus Russell in my posts because he's really that terrible. But we're talking about a three way tie potentially in the AFC West this week kids! How awesome would that be!?! Oakland is a much different team at home too and I still think the Broncos suck. Oh, and I'm pretty sure Mr. Orton has never been introduced to Mr. Nnamdi Asomugha. Your field to throw on pretty much just got cut in half. Have fun, Kyle.
Miami @ SAN DIEGO - I'm all about the intagibles this week it seems. Well, in a league that you can't predict with great accuracy, why the heck not? Miami is playing on a short week, after controlling the time of possession at home 45 minutes to Indianapolis' 15, and still lost. Not to mention it only took their defence 8 posessions to force 3 punts and give up 27 points. Oh, and did we mention that they are travelling to San Diego? Nothing says 'potential beatdown' like a team who is losing confidence and travelling to a city where there shouldn't be too much focus on football. San Diego is starting to say goodbye to LT, and this team is going to go as far as Phillip Rivers will take them. Rivers managed a career-high in passing yards against the Ravens. The Ravens! Miami's secondary is terrible. San Diego shouldn't lose two in a row at home. Do the math. They should teach this stuff in third grade.
Indianapolis @ ARIZONA - Contrary to the Miami offense that was on the field for 45 minutes, the Indianapolis DEFENCE was on the field for those 45 minutes as well, and is working with a short week. . It's hard enough going to play in that climate in Miami, but for your defensive unit to be out there for 45 minutes!?! They should definitely be taxed going into this game. By the way, who said that Kurt Warner needed Todd Haley after Week One? Turns out all he needed was a healthy Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. Huh, who knew? Warner was 24/26 for 243 yards and 2 TDs. I don't care who that's against, that's sick. Peyton Manning had a great game too with his 14/23 for 303 and 2 TD performance. What am I saying? Well, expect points. Lots of points. But I give the edge to the home team in this one.
Carolina @ DALLAS - Ok, so I didn't expect Tony Romo to post a 29.6 passer rating last week, BUT they almost still beat a tough, physical, well-coached team despite it all. For his career, Tony Romo's passer rating is 94.2. That's one heck of a rating when you look at it. Another thing about that number is that for an individual season, it's never been higher than 98 or lower than 92. What am I getting at? Oddly enough, it conveys consistency somewhat. So if this guy is a career 94.2 rated passer, it's not likely he'll follow up a performance like last week's with another similar one. I think we're going to see a very good Cowboys team on Monday Night Football this week, but if history has taught us anything about the Cowboys in primetime, it's that this game is going to not only be close, but contain alot of points as well. Hopefully the 'Boys don't burn me again for backing them. Hmmm, 'Boys burn for backing. Alliteration. Nice way to end off the column this week.
That's it for this week. Enjoy this week's games everyone!!
- Deacon Touchback
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Deacon's Post-week Preachment (Week 2)
First off before I get to this week's preachment, I would like to quickly comment (and get it out of the way) and recognize my pick performance from this past week.
On a week like last week, when you are able to go 12-4, you had a great week. Allow me to illustrate.
A friend of mine runs a "NFL Picks Pool" every single year. It's pretty simple. Submit your picks for weekly winners, and there are weekly prizes and prizes at the end of the year for season-long performance. This year, I believe he received over 60 entries for the pool.
In Week One, the highest score was 14, and the lowest was 9. This past week? The highest score was 12, and the lowest was 4. Note that the individual who got 4 this past week got 12 the week before, which suggests this guy is not a total boob, and just struggled that much with this week's games.
In any event, 12 as a high to 4 as the low, shows that this week was a pretty tough week to make picks. Two 12 win weeks puts the season record to 24-8 after 2 weeks. We'll see if I can keep it up.
On to Week Two's Preachment...
- Well, it looks like these Jets just might be for real huh? There is probably not a single game the Jets are going to be more fired up for this year than last week's home game against New England. To their credit, they got the job done. I think the Pats realize that they need to be a little better with touchdown efficiency in the red zone. 0 for 3 is not going to cut it on the road in division games Mr. Brady.
- Matty Ice improves to 9-1 at home as a starter. Jake Delhomme put in a better game this week, but it wasn't enough. Ryan proved to be the difference against the Panthers' 'stop the run first' gameplan. As predicted last week, Los Panteros are in big trouble.
- With a win on the road in Green Bay, the Bengals effectively became my 2009 'Coin Flip Team of the Year'. When you lose at home to Denver, and then go on the road and win at Lambeau, it tells me two things. One, they are improved from last year and two, we are not going to know which Bengals' team will show up week to week. Heck, they could beat the Steelers this week, who knows? Also, did we jump a little too soon on the Packers' bandwagon because of a strong pre-season perfomance by the Green Bay first unit?? Something to think about...
- Johnson X3 = Mayhem. The Texans/Titans game was another great game this week. And what do you get when you mix two of the league's most talented players (Titans RB Chris Johnson and Texans WR Andre Johnson) and the league's best play-by-play announcer (Gus Johnson)? A great football experience...Looks like the Texan offense finally decided to wake up. Is the absence of Albert Haynesworth going to leave the Tennessee defence exposed in the back end? Does this mean that this leaves them without the ability to create pressure in the pocket up the middle?? The first two games would suggest yes...
- The Lions still suck, even though I was really hoping they would beat the Vikings. Adrian Peterson may have not run for 100 yards and multiple scores like most people thought, but in the end, the losing streak continues.
- What happens when a west coast team travels to the east coast for the 1:00 PM ET game? Well, normally the west coast team loses, unless the east coast team is bad like the Jaguars. This was pretty much the basis of my pick last week in this matchup, and a few bad breaks for Jacksonville in the first half sealed the deal early fin this game. Arizona's offense seemed to somewhat get on track as well which they'll need next week when they host Indianapolis. Next on slate for the Jags? At Houston. And I'm pretty sure the Texans will put out a much better effort at home this week as opposed to the performance in Week One. Could this be the beginning of the end of the Jack Del Rio era in Jacksonville?
- What did we find out in Philly that we already didn't know? Drew Brees is still the man, and the Eagles are never as good as they can be when they don't have Donovan McNabb. Kevin Kolb played good enough to keep the starting gig for this upcoming week, but who really thought he would be able to keep up the scoring pace with Drew Brees in his first career start?
- JaMarcus Russell sucks. Fortunately for the Raiders, the Chiefs suck more. This game was terrible, and I think that Russell is the worst starting QB in the NFL, sans debate.
- The Washington Redskins better fix some things. That's all I'm going to say. Because when you have a top 5 defence and you are beating St. Louis 9-7 AT HOME, you have problems. Last week, I thought that if the Redskins lost to the Rams, Jim Zorn would have been fired this week. I'm going to go out and say that I hope this team loses this week at Detroit. Reason: If Jim Zorn managed to keep his job this past week because he managed to get a win over the hapless Rams, then there's one last thing that can give us our first early coach-axing of the year; being the team to break the Lions' losing streak.
- Easiest game on the board last week: Buffalo to beat Tampa Bay at home. Buffalo is playing some good football, and should probably be 2-0 right now. I would not be shocked if this week at home they beat the visiting Saints. Tampa Bay on the other hand is still in shambles, and head back to the "Pirate Ship" to host the New York Giants. Good luck.
- So it didn't help the Seahawks that they lost starting QB Matt Hasselbeck right before half, but they were never going to win this game anyways. Frank Gore had one hell of a day and the defence was in the face of the opposing QB all day. The 49ers are looking very good right now. Next on the schedule? The Minnesota Vikings. Who have the Vikings beaten anyways? The Browns? The Lions? Keep an eye on the 49ers/Vikings game in Week 3 because it should be a good one where we should see the true colors of Minnesota. Matchup of the week: Adrian Peterson vs. Patrick Willis.
- Thank you for missing field goals Jeff Reed. Your cheque is on its way. The Bears stay alive and win a huge game against the defending champs and head to Seattle to face the Seahawks minus Matt Hasselbeck. How fast things can turn around in this league...
- I hate to say it, but the days of LT are done. No time to be nostalgic about one of the game's greatest all-time rushers, because this team will go as far as Phillip Rivers can take them. When you post your career best for passing yards against the Baltimore Ravens, that's telling me something. Unfortunately, there's only so much he can do and in the AFC, teams like Baltimore tend to be just too much. The Ravens on the other hand, with their newfound offensive efficiency are looking like a big time threat to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
- The Browns suck, Eric Mangini is going to lose total control of his locker room, and Denver is atop the AFC West at 2-0...pretty much how we thought things would be last week...
- The New York Giants just keep getting it done. Why? Because they dominate the trenches. They have the best and most cohesive offensive line in the game, and their defensive line puts so much pressure on the opposing QB that it masks the weaknesses in the secondary. As a result, this allows them to create turnovers. Of course when the opposing QB gives you points, that helps sometimes too.
- How do you dominate the time of possession at home 45 minutes to 15 minutes and still lose a game? The Colts had only 8 possessions, punted 3 of them away, and still put up 27 points. That's incredible. That's when you know you've either got really bad luck, or you just suck. I'm pretty sure that it's neither one of those things, but it's somewhere in the middle. Regardless, irregardless is not a word, and the Dolphins are in big trouble. I'm officially starting the "Countdown to the Chad Henne Era in Miami" effective immediately.
That's it for this week. Go in peace to serve and love the NFL.
- Deacon Touchback
On a week like last week, when you are able to go 12-4, you had a great week. Allow me to illustrate.
A friend of mine runs a "NFL Picks Pool" every single year. It's pretty simple. Submit your picks for weekly winners, and there are weekly prizes and prizes at the end of the year for season-long performance. This year, I believe he received over 60 entries for the pool.
In Week One, the highest score was 14, and the lowest was 9. This past week? The highest score was 12, and the lowest was 4. Note that the individual who got 4 this past week got 12 the week before, which suggests this guy is not a total boob, and just struggled that much with this week's games.
In any event, 12 as a high to 4 as the low, shows that this week was a pretty tough week to make picks. Two 12 win weeks puts the season record to 24-8 after 2 weeks. We'll see if I can keep it up.
On to Week Two's Preachment...
- Well, it looks like these Jets just might be for real huh? There is probably not a single game the Jets are going to be more fired up for this year than last week's home game against New England. To their credit, they got the job done. I think the Pats realize that they need to be a little better with touchdown efficiency in the red zone. 0 for 3 is not going to cut it on the road in division games Mr. Brady.
- Matty Ice improves to 9-1 at home as a starter. Jake Delhomme put in a better game this week, but it wasn't enough. Ryan proved to be the difference against the Panthers' 'stop the run first' gameplan. As predicted last week, Los Panteros are in big trouble.
- With a win on the road in Green Bay, the Bengals effectively became my 2009 'Coin Flip Team of the Year'. When you lose at home to Denver, and then go on the road and win at Lambeau, it tells me two things. One, they are improved from last year and two, we are not going to know which Bengals' team will show up week to week. Heck, they could beat the Steelers this week, who knows? Also, did we jump a little too soon on the Packers' bandwagon because of a strong pre-season perfomance by the Green Bay first unit?? Something to think about...
- Johnson X3 = Mayhem. The Texans/Titans game was another great game this week. And what do you get when you mix two of the league's most talented players (Titans RB Chris Johnson and Texans WR Andre Johnson) and the league's best play-by-play announcer (Gus Johnson)? A great football experience...Looks like the Texan offense finally decided to wake up. Is the absence of Albert Haynesworth going to leave the Tennessee defence exposed in the back end? Does this mean that this leaves them without the ability to create pressure in the pocket up the middle?? The first two games would suggest yes...
- The Lions still suck, even though I was really hoping they would beat the Vikings. Adrian Peterson may have not run for 100 yards and multiple scores like most people thought, but in the end, the losing streak continues.
- What happens when a west coast team travels to the east coast for the 1:00 PM ET game? Well, normally the west coast team loses, unless the east coast team is bad like the Jaguars. This was pretty much the basis of my pick last week in this matchup, and a few bad breaks for Jacksonville in the first half sealed the deal early fin this game. Arizona's offense seemed to somewhat get on track as well which they'll need next week when they host Indianapolis. Next on slate for the Jags? At Houston. And I'm pretty sure the Texans will put out a much better effort at home this week as opposed to the performance in Week One. Could this be the beginning of the end of the Jack Del Rio era in Jacksonville?
- What did we find out in Philly that we already didn't know? Drew Brees is still the man, and the Eagles are never as good as they can be when they don't have Donovan McNabb. Kevin Kolb played good enough to keep the starting gig for this upcoming week, but who really thought he would be able to keep up the scoring pace with Drew Brees in his first career start?
- JaMarcus Russell sucks. Fortunately for the Raiders, the Chiefs suck more. This game was terrible, and I think that Russell is the worst starting QB in the NFL, sans debate.
- The Washington Redskins better fix some things. That's all I'm going to say. Because when you have a top 5 defence and you are beating St. Louis 9-7 AT HOME, you have problems. Last week, I thought that if the Redskins lost to the Rams, Jim Zorn would have been fired this week. I'm going to go out and say that I hope this team loses this week at Detroit. Reason: If Jim Zorn managed to keep his job this past week because he managed to get a win over the hapless Rams, then there's one last thing that can give us our first early coach-axing of the year; being the team to break the Lions' losing streak.
- Easiest game on the board last week: Buffalo to beat Tampa Bay at home. Buffalo is playing some good football, and should probably be 2-0 right now. I would not be shocked if this week at home they beat the visiting Saints. Tampa Bay on the other hand is still in shambles, and head back to the "Pirate Ship" to host the New York Giants. Good luck.
- So it didn't help the Seahawks that they lost starting QB Matt Hasselbeck right before half, but they were never going to win this game anyways. Frank Gore had one hell of a day and the defence was in the face of the opposing QB all day. The 49ers are looking very good right now. Next on the schedule? The Minnesota Vikings. Who have the Vikings beaten anyways? The Browns? The Lions? Keep an eye on the 49ers/Vikings game in Week 3 because it should be a good one where we should see the true colors of Minnesota. Matchup of the week: Adrian Peterson vs. Patrick Willis.
- Thank you for missing field goals Jeff Reed. Your cheque is on its way. The Bears stay alive and win a huge game against the defending champs and head to Seattle to face the Seahawks minus Matt Hasselbeck. How fast things can turn around in this league...
- I hate to say it, but the days of LT are done. No time to be nostalgic about one of the game's greatest all-time rushers, because this team will go as far as Phillip Rivers can take them. When you post your career best for passing yards against the Baltimore Ravens, that's telling me something. Unfortunately, there's only so much he can do and in the AFC, teams like Baltimore tend to be just too much. The Ravens on the other hand, with their newfound offensive efficiency are looking like a big time threat to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
- The Browns suck, Eric Mangini is going to lose total control of his locker room, and Denver is atop the AFC West at 2-0...pretty much how we thought things would be last week...
- The New York Giants just keep getting it done. Why? Because they dominate the trenches. They have the best and most cohesive offensive line in the game, and their defensive line puts so much pressure on the opposing QB that it masks the weaknesses in the secondary. As a result, this allows them to create turnovers. Of course when the opposing QB gives you points, that helps sometimes too.
- How do you dominate the time of possession at home 45 minutes to 15 minutes and still lose a game? The Colts had only 8 possessions, punted 3 of them away, and still put up 27 points. That's incredible. That's when you know you've either got really bad luck, or you just suck. I'm pretty sure that it's neither one of those things, but it's somewhere in the middle. Regardless, irregardless is not a word, and the Dolphins are in big trouble. I'm officially starting the "Countdown to the Chad Henne Era in Miami" effective immediately.
That's it for this week. Go in peace to serve and love the NFL.
- Deacon Touchback
Friday, September 18, 2009
Week Two Picks
Since 1990, 160 NFL teams have begun their season with 2 losses. Only 22 advanced to the postseason, while only 10 won their division.
Why am I bringing this up? Historically, starting 0-2 in the NFL has been a recipe for disaster, and half of the league is in danger of going 0-2 this week. It also doesn't help matters that a good handful of these teams are underdogs.
Of course, the 2007 New York Giants might have something to say about all of this. After all, they began their season 0-2 when they hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy two seasons ago.
The 16 teams in danger of going 0-2 are Carolina, Detroit, Cincinatti, Arizona, Jacksonville, Oakland, Kansas City, Houston, Tennessee, St. Louis, Washington, Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, and Miami.
Which teams will find themselves in a hole that very few have been able to dig out of? I guess we'll just have to watch the games and find out.
Futher to the above, since the salary cap era began, 78 teams have begun their NFL season 0-3. 2 of those teams made the playoffs. Both of those teams were out in the first round of the playoffs. What does that mean? Well, there's a lot of desperate teams playing this weekend if their Week 3 opponent is someone that should beat them as well. Three teams in particular who came into the regular season with high expectations, have tough Week 3 opponents and could potentially fall to 0-3 at the end of next week: [Arizona (home to Indianapolis), Carolina (at Dallas), and Chicago (at Seattle)].
It's something to definitely keep in mind when watching the games this weekend.
Last week, I went 12-4 with my picks, and I highly doubt that this week will be as good. There's alot of uncertainty this week, and that's why Vegas makes a killing on the NFL (but that's a column for another day).
I didn't put too much research into these picks, and the majority are gut feelings. There's things about each team that I like or dislike this week, and played part in my decision, but in the end, it was a gut feeling. In some cases, a coin flip. So, here it goes.
Week 2 NFL Picks (IN CAPS):
Carolina @ ATLANTA - When your star receiver is caught on tape saying, "I never did really like you as a quarterback," to the quarterback who has turned the ball over 11 times in the last 2 games...that's pretty much a red alert, even if he was joking around and trying to lift his spirits. Not to mention the Panthers could be without right tackle Jeff Otah for this division game. I can't bring myself to pick the Panthers this week, even though if you read Bill Simmons, he might convince you otherwise...
MINNESOTA @ Detroit - Until further notice, the Lions still suck, and Adrian Peterson will rush for over 100 yards and multiple scores.
Cincinatti @ GREEN BAY - Green Bay got a great performance from their defence last week, and Aaron Rodgers will be looking to get that offense moving much better than it did on Sunday night. Offensive problems? In come the Bengals. Problem solved.
ARIZONA @ Jacksonville - I know the Cardinals don't play good when they head out east, and that's why alot of people will pick the Jaguars in this game. This was one of those gut feeling picks. I really have no good reason to pick the Cardinals this week, but here we are.
OAKLAND @ Kansas City - Coin toss. Result: The Raiders.
NEW ENGLAND @ New York Jets - I know people got really excited about the Jets from their performance last week, and the Patriots are working with a short week heading into New York. But this just seems to me like the game where everyone jumps on Jets' bandwagon and New England comes into town and shows why they are still the class of the AFC East. On the road, coaching and quarterback play is vital, and the Patriots are just better in both areas. Period.
NEW ORLEANS @ Philadelphia - Kevin Kolb? Really? No thanks. I'll take Brees and the Saints even though they are on the road. Even though against tough defences on the road seems to be where Brees struggled last year, something tells me that him and head coach Sean Payton have figured out a way to fix that.
Houston @ TENNESSEE - Before the season started, I really liked the Texans. I still do, but not this week going into Tennessee.
St. Louis @ WASHINGTON - If it wasn't for the defensive touchdown by the Giants last week, the 'Skins actually hung in there for most of that game in Week 1. That probably has more to do with their defence, because their offence did not look good at all. But wait! Who comes into town this week? The Rams!!! I wonder how long it takes the Rams to register points on the board this season??
Tampa Bay @ BUFFALO - Coin toss. Result: The Bills. *Funny thing about this game, we'll see how different the Bills' offense looks now that T.O. has already complained about his lack of involvement in the offense. Gee, that didn't take too long...
Seattle @ SAN FRANCISCO - I think this game is going to be very physical, and I liked what I saw from the 49ers' defence last week, not to mention Patrick Willis might just be the best defensive player in the game. Seattle is still getting healthy on the offensive line, and San Fran is going to bring the heat. Either way, one of these teams is going to be 2-0 to start off the year, and both would be deserving. Take the home team.
Pittsburgh @ CHICAGO - No Polamalu for the Steelers, and no Urlacher for the Bears. I think the Bears can cope with that loss better than the Steelers can cope with the Polamalu loss simply because linebacker is the part of the field where the Bears are deepest. That being said, another 4-INT performance by Cutler and that all goes out the window. This game will be decided on which team does a better job of putting pressure on the QB. The Bears have to play desperate, and they are at home. Give me a home team who is desperate and I'll usually take them.
Cleveland @ DENVER - I don't like either of these teams, but I like the Broncos a little less. Are the Broncos really going to start 2-0? Yikes.
BALTIMORE @ San Diego - Injuries to the offensive line and the fact that the Chargers play in the AFC West, leads me to believe that this is one that they can afford to lose. The Ravens look good and will take the lead in the AFC North. Consequently, the AFC West lead will belong to the Denver Broncos...Wow.
New York Giants @ DALLAS - All I'm hearing this week is that the Cowboys can't stop the run. This is true. However, Romo plays great in September, and plays great against the Giants. I think that this Cowboys team is a better "team" than it was last season without Terrell Owens, and this should be one heck of a game on Sunday night. If we all don't already know, I don't think too highly of Eli Manning, but the Giants run the ball well, have the advantage in the trenches, and have the coaching advantage. Still, I like the Cowboys because I think that at home, the defensive line of the Cowboys is going to show up and be the difference, forcing Manning into a couple of turnovers. Once again, it's just one of those gut feelings.
INDIANAPOLIS @ Miami - Miami is going to be one of those teams that starts 0-2. I really thought this team would take a step back this year, and so far it's looking like they will prove me right. There are few quarterbacks that play better on the road than Peyton Manning, and him and Reggie Wayne seem to be poised for huge seasons statistically. Miami will be able to move the ball on the ground with success against the Colts, but the question is at what point will they have to put the ball in the hands of Chad Pennington if they fall behind? The later the better if you're the Dolphins, that's for sure. I know the Dolphins are desperate, and I know they are at home, but it's going to be a long and disappointing season if you're a Dolphins fan.
Deacon's Season Record: 12-4
Why am I bringing this up? Historically, starting 0-2 in the NFL has been a recipe for disaster, and half of the league is in danger of going 0-2 this week. It also doesn't help matters that a good handful of these teams are underdogs.
Of course, the 2007 New York Giants might have something to say about all of this. After all, they began their season 0-2 when they hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy two seasons ago.
The 16 teams in danger of going 0-2 are Carolina, Detroit, Cincinatti, Arizona, Jacksonville, Oakland, Kansas City, Houston, Tennessee, St. Louis, Washington, Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, and Miami.
Which teams will find themselves in a hole that very few have been able to dig out of? I guess we'll just have to watch the games and find out.
Futher to the above, since the salary cap era began, 78 teams have begun their NFL season 0-3. 2 of those teams made the playoffs. Both of those teams were out in the first round of the playoffs. What does that mean? Well, there's a lot of desperate teams playing this weekend if their Week 3 opponent is someone that should beat them as well. Three teams in particular who came into the regular season with high expectations, have tough Week 3 opponents and could potentially fall to 0-3 at the end of next week: [Arizona (home to Indianapolis), Carolina (at Dallas), and Chicago (at Seattle)].
It's something to definitely keep in mind when watching the games this weekend.
Last week, I went 12-4 with my picks, and I highly doubt that this week will be as good. There's alot of uncertainty this week, and that's why Vegas makes a killing on the NFL (but that's a column for another day).
I didn't put too much research into these picks, and the majority are gut feelings. There's things about each team that I like or dislike this week, and played part in my decision, but in the end, it was a gut feeling. In some cases, a coin flip. So, here it goes.
Week 2 NFL Picks (IN CAPS):
Carolina @ ATLANTA - When your star receiver is caught on tape saying, "I never did really like you as a quarterback," to the quarterback who has turned the ball over 11 times in the last 2 games...that's pretty much a red alert, even if he was joking around and trying to lift his spirits. Not to mention the Panthers could be without right tackle Jeff Otah for this division game. I can't bring myself to pick the Panthers this week, even though if you read Bill Simmons, he might convince you otherwise...
MINNESOTA @ Detroit - Until further notice, the Lions still suck, and Adrian Peterson will rush for over 100 yards and multiple scores.
Cincinatti @ GREEN BAY - Green Bay got a great performance from their defence last week, and Aaron Rodgers will be looking to get that offense moving much better than it did on Sunday night. Offensive problems? In come the Bengals. Problem solved.
ARIZONA @ Jacksonville - I know the Cardinals don't play good when they head out east, and that's why alot of people will pick the Jaguars in this game. This was one of those gut feeling picks. I really have no good reason to pick the Cardinals this week, but here we are.
OAKLAND @ Kansas City - Coin toss. Result: The Raiders.
NEW ENGLAND @ New York Jets - I know people got really excited about the Jets from their performance last week, and the Patriots are working with a short week heading into New York. But this just seems to me like the game where everyone jumps on Jets' bandwagon and New England comes into town and shows why they are still the class of the AFC East. On the road, coaching and quarterback play is vital, and the Patriots are just better in both areas. Period.
NEW ORLEANS @ Philadelphia - Kevin Kolb? Really? No thanks. I'll take Brees and the Saints even though they are on the road. Even though against tough defences on the road seems to be where Brees struggled last year, something tells me that him and head coach Sean Payton have figured out a way to fix that.
Houston @ TENNESSEE - Before the season started, I really liked the Texans. I still do, but not this week going into Tennessee.
St. Louis @ WASHINGTON - If it wasn't for the defensive touchdown by the Giants last week, the 'Skins actually hung in there for most of that game in Week 1. That probably has more to do with their defence, because their offence did not look good at all. But wait! Who comes into town this week? The Rams!!! I wonder how long it takes the Rams to register points on the board this season??
Tampa Bay @ BUFFALO - Coin toss. Result: The Bills. *Funny thing about this game, we'll see how different the Bills' offense looks now that T.O. has already complained about his lack of involvement in the offense. Gee, that didn't take too long...
Seattle @ SAN FRANCISCO - I think this game is going to be very physical, and I liked what I saw from the 49ers' defence last week, not to mention Patrick Willis might just be the best defensive player in the game. Seattle is still getting healthy on the offensive line, and San Fran is going to bring the heat. Either way, one of these teams is going to be 2-0 to start off the year, and both would be deserving. Take the home team.
Pittsburgh @ CHICAGO - No Polamalu for the Steelers, and no Urlacher for the Bears. I think the Bears can cope with that loss better than the Steelers can cope with the Polamalu loss simply because linebacker is the part of the field where the Bears are deepest. That being said, another 4-INT performance by Cutler and that all goes out the window. This game will be decided on which team does a better job of putting pressure on the QB. The Bears have to play desperate, and they are at home. Give me a home team who is desperate and I'll usually take them.
Cleveland @ DENVER - I don't like either of these teams, but I like the Broncos a little less. Are the Broncos really going to start 2-0? Yikes.
BALTIMORE @ San Diego - Injuries to the offensive line and the fact that the Chargers play in the AFC West, leads me to believe that this is one that they can afford to lose. The Ravens look good and will take the lead in the AFC North. Consequently, the AFC West lead will belong to the Denver Broncos...Wow.
New York Giants @ DALLAS - All I'm hearing this week is that the Cowboys can't stop the run. This is true. However, Romo plays great in September, and plays great against the Giants. I think that this Cowboys team is a better "team" than it was last season without Terrell Owens, and this should be one heck of a game on Sunday night. If we all don't already know, I don't think too highly of Eli Manning, but the Giants run the ball well, have the advantage in the trenches, and have the coaching advantage. Still, I like the Cowboys because I think that at home, the defensive line of the Cowboys is going to show up and be the difference, forcing Manning into a couple of turnovers. Once again, it's just one of those gut feelings.
INDIANAPOLIS @ Miami - Miami is going to be one of those teams that starts 0-2. I really thought this team would take a step back this year, and so far it's looking like they will prove me right. There are few quarterbacks that play better on the road than Peyton Manning, and him and Reggie Wayne seem to be poised for huge seasons statistically. Miami will be able to move the ball on the ground with success against the Colts, but the question is at what point will they have to put the ball in the hands of Chad Pennington if they fall behind? The later the better if you're the Dolphins, that's for sure. I know the Dolphins are desperate, and I know they are at home, but it's going to be a long and disappointing season if you're a Dolphins fan.
Deacon's Season Record: 12-4
Monday, September 14, 2009
Deacon's Post-week Preachment (Week 1)
preach-ment
-noun
1. the act of preaching
2. a sermon or other discourse, especially when obtrusive or tedious
Obtrusive? Check Tedious? You betcha.
And so came the name for the random-shot post that is going to follow the action every week (usually on Tuesday mornings following the monday night game) during the season.
At midnight on Saturday night, I began extending wishes to friends.
"Merry Christmas!"
There are those that associate Christmas with new beginnings, cheer, joy, and happiness. But Christmas is not always so kind, as it was for 16 teams this week who have begun their 2009 seasons in the NFL with losses. Some found nothing but an orange in their stocking. Others, lumps of coal.
But while Week One in the NFL Season may have gone the way some of us expected, it was not without its surprises, shocks, and of course, dreaded injuries.
The format that this post will take will be point form, as the thoughts that were processed both during and after the games are rather 'random' in nature, and should come across as such.
- Tennessee still looks like the class of the AFC South despite losing to Pittsburgh 13-10 on Thursday night, and was impressive in a tough opening game. And was it me, but did Kerry Collins look really good out there?
- Ben Roethlisberger just gets it done. He might need to get his ass scraped up off the grass with a shovel every game, but when the game is on the line, few are better at leading and willing their teams to victory.
- Did we all see who the phony was from last year? Look, I'm not saying that I don't like what Bill Parcells has done there in Miami, and it's not that I dislike the Dolphins (only the '72 ones), but this week showed us why they might really regress this year. When you can only beat teams one way, you're probably not going to be that successful when your schedule dictates that there is a good chance you will play from behind alot; something you're not particularly good at. Recipe: Start thinking about when you're going to look to Chad Henne, and get yourself another playmaker on offense.
- Remember in my picks column when I said that there was some reason that I didn't like the Panthers this year? Oh yeah, I just realized it: Jake Delhomme
- I can't beleive that McNabb got hurt in Week One. Seriously? Get ready for more Micheal Vick talk that it might make you puke more than Brett Favre talk. Ok, maybe not that much.
- Speaking of that hillbilly, did I see correctly on most websites a picture of Favre in his classic 'arms raised' pose after the Vikings beat the Browns? Ummm, hello? Did you not see the real reason why they won? You know, that guy who ran for 180 yards and 3 touchdowns and treated Cleveland defenders like rag dolls? (By the way, that 60 yard TD run by Adrian Peterson was remarkable. He does things I don't think I've seen any other runner do in my lifetime. I hate that he's in the Bears' division, and I have nightmares about him.)
- Did you see what happened in the Bengals/Broncos game? If you didn't then click HERE (I think Gus Johnson almost had a heart attack while making this call). Basically, the game was a snoozer for the most part, until the Bengals took the lead with less than a minute to go, and then...well, if you watched the clip, you saw. Now after you've watched the clip, repeat after me: That's why the Bengals are the Bengals. AND Gus Johnson is the greatest play-by-play sports announcer in the world right now. FACT.
- Are the Texans beleiving their own hype, or did everyone (including me) overlook the Jets that much? Did Sanchez actually play that well, or was it more attributable to one of the biggest out-coaching jobs I've seen in years? With 3rd down conversion rates like that, you have to give a lot of credit to the play selection as much as the performance of the QB. They looked tough, physical, sharp, and prepared. The Texans...I really hope it was just one bad week. I really, really hope.
- In uncharacteristic form, in the 4th quarter trailing by 8 Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio goes for it on 4th and 1, which results in a touchdown for Maurice Jones-Drew. Then to follow it up, in characteristic form, dials up a useless two-point conversion play, which of course fails. Different uniforms, same dumbass moves.
- ALERT: The Detroit Lions are still the NFL's doormat.
- ALERT: Drew Brees is F#*($&($_#_@ SIIIIIIIIICK. PS. Welcome back to the NFL Jeremy Shockey. Let's see if this time you actually shut your mouth for once and not cause a stir on a team that would be fine, if not better, without you.
- How 'bout them Cowboys? Ok, let's see: No TO. What happens? Romo throws for the most passing yards he's ever thrown in a game, and tosses 3 TD's to 3 different receivers. Would that have ever happened when TO was there? Well, the fact is that it didn't. Remember what happened to the Giants after they got rid of Jeremy Shockey and Tiki Barber retired? I'm just saying...
- So when do the ' 2008 fluke' comments come out in regards to a one-dimensional Arizona Cardinals team with a suspect offensive line and aging QB come out? I love Warner, Fitz, and the whole gang there, but this is a team that is going to start facing alot of criticism in the media after that loss to San Francisco at home, which by the way, is where they had the best record in the NFL over the past two seasons.
- Just like today is Tuesday, Qwest Field is still loud as ever, and the Rams still suck. With the first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select...
- Smartest play of the week has to go to Broncos WR Brandon Stokely for running out time before crossing the goal line on that play from above. I know that Bengal fans, betting people, and fantasy players everywhere hate him right now, but I love this dude.
- Dumbest play of the week has to go to a collective effort by the Chicago Bears which included: a long-snapper making a decision to audible out of a punt to run a fake, which no one but himself was aware of (I think he bet the game and had the Packers on the spread), combined with Lovie Smith looking lost on the sidelines, and Jay Cutler's 4 INTs. Oh, and let's not forget completely ignoring the run game in the first half. Thanks for reminding me why I'll never see you win another Super Bowl again Chicago. Oh, and we lost Brian Urlacher for the year already...while not shocked, I'm extremely pissed off about that. Honorable mention goes to Buffalo's Leodis McKelvin for his bonehead return (when he should have kneeled in the endzone) and fumble which ended up costing the Bills a game they should have won.
- How about those Monday night games? Everyone inlcuding myself would have thought the Patriots would roll the Bills at home, and that the Chargers would stomp all over the Raiders. What happened? Well, the Bills outplayed the Patriots, and the Raiders outplayed the Chargers. Now, there's two ways we can look at this: On one hand, you can say that both of these teams are better than we first thought because they were able to compete with better teams and almost win the game. On the other hand, we could realize that this is the reality of the NFL, and despite outplaying better teams, it actually shows how bad these teams are. A person could argue that it only magnifies how good New England and San Diego are, by getting outplayed for more than half of the football game and still winning. Stop and think for a second about the following: How many times do bad teams play bad and win? How many times do good teams play bad and still win? See what I'm getting at here? Just to make these games competitive, the underdogs had to play arguably out of their skull to make the game competitive, while the favorites looked average and still won. It's definitely something to think about, and as the season goes on, we'll see which one of those two opinions would be correct at this point. Personally, I think when these teams meet again later on in the year, the games will be beatings, but that's just my prediction.
Any way you slice it, the NFL season is in full swing and there is much to debate and discuss. So to all, Merry Christmas.
I hope you didn't find a lump of coal in your stocking.
- Deacon Touchback
-noun
1. the act of preaching
2. a sermon or other discourse, especially when obtrusive or tedious
Obtrusive? Check Tedious? You betcha.
And so came the name for the random-shot post that is going to follow the action every week (usually on Tuesday mornings following the monday night game) during the season.
At midnight on Saturday night, I began extending wishes to friends.
"Merry Christmas!"
There are those that associate Christmas with new beginnings, cheer, joy, and happiness. But Christmas is not always so kind, as it was for 16 teams this week who have begun their 2009 seasons in the NFL with losses. Some found nothing but an orange in their stocking. Others, lumps of coal.
But while Week One in the NFL Season may have gone the way some of us expected, it was not without its surprises, shocks, and of course, dreaded injuries.
The format that this post will take will be point form, as the thoughts that were processed both during and after the games are rather 'random' in nature, and should come across as such.
- Tennessee still looks like the class of the AFC South despite losing to Pittsburgh 13-10 on Thursday night, and was impressive in a tough opening game. And was it me, but did Kerry Collins look really good out there?
- Ben Roethlisberger just gets it done. He might need to get his ass scraped up off the grass with a shovel every game, but when the game is on the line, few are better at leading and willing their teams to victory.
- Did we all see who the phony was from last year? Look, I'm not saying that I don't like what Bill Parcells has done there in Miami, and it's not that I dislike the Dolphins (only the '72 ones), but this week showed us why they might really regress this year. When you can only beat teams one way, you're probably not going to be that successful when your schedule dictates that there is a good chance you will play from behind alot; something you're not particularly good at. Recipe: Start thinking about when you're going to look to Chad Henne, and get yourself another playmaker on offense.
- Remember in my picks column when I said that there was some reason that I didn't like the Panthers this year? Oh yeah, I just realized it: Jake Delhomme
- I can't beleive that McNabb got hurt in Week One. Seriously? Get ready for more Micheal Vick talk that it might make you puke more than Brett Favre talk. Ok, maybe not that much.
- Speaking of that hillbilly, did I see correctly on most websites a picture of Favre in his classic 'arms raised' pose after the Vikings beat the Browns? Ummm, hello? Did you not see the real reason why they won? You know, that guy who ran for 180 yards and 3 touchdowns and treated Cleveland defenders like rag dolls? (By the way, that 60 yard TD run by Adrian Peterson was remarkable. He does things I don't think I've seen any other runner do in my lifetime. I hate that he's in the Bears' division, and I have nightmares about him.)
- Did you see what happened in the Bengals/Broncos game? If you didn't then click HERE (I think Gus Johnson almost had a heart attack while making this call). Basically, the game was a snoozer for the most part, until the Bengals took the lead with less than a minute to go, and then...well, if you watched the clip, you saw. Now after you've watched the clip, repeat after me: That's why the Bengals are the Bengals. AND Gus Johnson is the greatest play-by-play sports announcer in the world right now. FACT.
- Are the Texans beleiving their own hype, or did everyone (including me) overlook the Jets that much? Did Sanchez actually play that well, or was it more attributable to one of the biggest out-coaching jobs I've seen in years? With 3rd down conversion rates like that, you have to give a lot of credit to the play selection as much as the performance of the QB. They looked tough, physical, sharp, and prepared. The Texans...I really hope it was just one bad week. I really, really hope.
- In uncharacteristic form, in the 4th quarter trailing by 8 Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio goes for it on 4th and 1, which results in a touchdown for Maurice Jones-Drew. Then to follow it up, in characteristic form, dials up a useless two-point conversion play, which of course fails. Different uniforms, same dumbass moves.
- ALERT: The Detroit Lions are still the NFL's doormat.
- ALERT: Drew Brees is F#*($&($_#_@ SIIIIIIIIICK. PS. Welcome back to the NFL Jeremy Shockey. Let's see if this time you actually shut your mouth for once and not cause a stir on a team that would be fine, if not better, without you.
- How 'bout them Cowboys? Ok, let's see: No TO. What happens? Romo throws for the most passing yards he's ever thrown in a game, and tosses 3 TD's to 3 different receivers. Would that have ever happened when TO was there? Well, the fact is that it didn't. Remember what happened to the Giants after they got rid of Jeremy Shockey and Tiki Barber retired? I'm just saying...
- So when do the ' 2008 fluke' comments come out in regards to a one-dimensional Arizona Cardinals team with a suspect offensive line and aging QB come out? I love Warner, Fitz, and the whole gang there, but this is a team that is going to start facing alot of criticism in the media after that loss to San Francisco at home, which by the way, is where they had the best record in the NFL over the past two seasons.
- Just like today is Tuesday, Qwest Field is still loud as ever, and the Rams still suck. With the first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select...
- Smartest play of the week has to go to Broncos WR Brandon Stokely for running out time before crossing the goal line on that play from above. I know that Bengal fans, betting people, and fantasy players everywhere hate him right now, but I love this dude.
- Dumbest play of the week has to go to a collective effort by the Chicago Bears which included: a long-snapper making a decision to audible out of a punt to run a fake, which no one but himself was aware of (I think he bet the game and had the Packers on the spread), combined with Lovie Smith looking lost on the sidelines, and Jay Cutler's 4 INTs. Oh, and let's not forget completely ignoring the run game in the first half. Thanks for reminding me why I'll never see you win another Super Bowl again Chicago. Oh, and we lost Brian Urlacher for the year already...while not shocked, I'm extremely pissed off about that. Honorable mention goes to Buffalo's Leodis McKelvin for his bonehead return (when he should have kneeled in the endzone) and fumble which ended up costing the Bills a game they should have won.
- How about those Monday night games? Everyone inlcuding myself would have thought the Patriots would roll the Bills at home, and that the Chargers would stomp all over the Raiders. What happened? Well, the Bills outplayed the Patriots, and the Raiders outplayed the Chargers. Now, there's two ways we can look at this: On one hand, you can say that both of these teams are better than we first thought because they were able to compete with better teams and almost win the game. On the other hand, we could realize that this is the reality of the NFL, and despite outplaying better teams, it actually shows how bad these teams are. A person could argue that it only magnifies how good New England and San Diego are, by getting outplayed for more than half of the football game and still winning. Stop and think for a second about the following: How many times do bad teams play bad and win? How many times do good teams play bad and still win? See what I'm getting at here? Just to make these games competitive, the underdogs had to play arguably out of their skull to make the game competitive, while the favorites looked average and still won. It's definitely something to think about, and as the season goes on, we'll see which one of those two opinions would be correct at this point. Personally, I think when these teams meet again later on in the year, the games will be beatings, but that's just my prediction.
Any way you slice it, the NFL season is in full swing and there is much to debate and discuss. So to all, Merry Christmas.
I hope you didn't find a lump of coal in your stocking.
- Deacon Touchback
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Week 1 Picks
Every week I'm going to post my weekly picks, which will not be against the spread or Over/Under. I think I may tackle that next year, or mid-season. Then again, I'd have to switch over to those picks because I would like to focus on either winners or spreads, not both. But here and there I'll toss in opinions on spreads/totals because those things are interesting to toss in every now and then.
Normally this will get posted on Friday, but this week is special.
I'll also keep a season-running total at the bottom each week, and see how I've done at the end of the year.
So without any further delay, get ready for nonsense and mediocre (at best) football picks!!!
Deacon Touchback's Week One picks: (WINNERS IN CAPS)
Tennessee @ PITTSBURGH (Should be a good game, I have too many questions about the Titan Offense, and it's extremely tough to go against the best defence from last season, at home, on the night they are raising their sixth Super Bowl banner)
Kansas City @ BALTIMORE (Kansas City is suckass, and the Ravens' defence is a hornets nest...Enough said)
PHILADELPHIA @ Carolina (Carolina won 12 games last year, runs the ball so well, is at home, and has a mammoth offensive line. So why do I find it so hard to like them this year???)
MINNESOTA @ Cleveland (Once Mangini stops running his team like it's kindergarten, keeping secrets, etc. then maybe I'll stop thinking the Browns will get pummeled every week)
Miami @ ATLANTA (Are the Falcons and Matt Ryan aka 'Matty Ice', for real? Probably just as real as how the Dolphins will feel when they come back down to earth and take a couple steps back from last year with their ugly 2009 schedule)
Detroit @ NEW ORLEANS (The Saints can't play defence, but the Lions are still the Lions. New Orleans loves to throw, has tons of weapons, and has that Drew Brees guy who is pretty darn good. Detroit's secondary might be improved, but isn't deep, and that'll show when the Saints keep them in the nickel and dime for the majority of the game with three and four wide receiver sets. Let's see how deep Detroit's regular season losing hole can go...)
Jacksonville @ INDIANAPOLIS (Not sure if the Jacksonville run game and front 4 will be enough to trump Opie and the Colts at home...)
Denver @ CINCINNATI (I like the Bengals to bounce back this year, and until Kyle Orton does something to make me forget that left-handed interception toss from pre-season, I'm going to bet against the Broncos...unless they play the Chiefs)
DALLAS @ Tampa Bay (With the T.O. show gone to Buffalo, will flying under the radar actually help the Cowboys this year? That remains to be seen, but this week it doesn't matter, because the Bucs suck)
NY Jets @ HOUSTON (Get that first win at home before making a case for the playoffs and a division crown?? Sign me up. I'm all about the Texans this year...Plus, Houston's not an easy place to play, especially for a rookie quarterback...Sorry Mark Sanchez...your winless start to your career starts here, and might not end until after your bye-week in Week 5)
St. Louis @ SEATTLE (Should be an entertaining game like most times these teams meet, but I just think the Seahawks suck a little less than the Rams right now)
Washington @ NY GIANTS (I really want to go the other way in this one, and wont be surprised if the Giants lose because of what their offense looked like after Plax was gone last year. Plus, if I told you the Redskins were the 4th ranked defence last year according to yards allowed per game, you'd think I was a liar, but it's true. Then they added Albert Haynesworth to a defensive unit that was better against the pass than the run, and ranked in the top ten in both. See how this game might be closer than you think? But then I say the name 'Jason Campbell' out loud and...)
San Francisco @ ARIZONA (If this game happens later down the road I might change my mind, but I'm not sure if Week 1 is the time to get crazy with this division matchup; Mike Singletary WANTS WINNERS, but I have no idea if he's found them yet...)
CHICAGO @ Green Bay (Definitely my homer-pick of the week; the Bears might have to win this game scoring 30+ points, but with Jay Cutler, this is the first time in my lifetime of being a Bears' fan that this is a realistic possibility week to week)
Buffalo @ NEW ENGLAND (Hmm, the Bills fire their offensive coordinator, and go to New England. Did you know that last year the BIlls were 1-8 against teams who employ 3-4 defensive schemes? Toss in some exotic looks and the ability to disguise those fronts, and Trent Edwards could be in for a long day. If only I could buy UP the spread...)
SAN DIEGO @ Oakland (This game might actually be closer than one might think, at least early on, but the Chargers will want to show the AFC West who's boss...and I can't get excited about JaMarcus Russell, at least until he's passing to a dude named Chaz Schillens who is out of this game with an injury...what a name...Chaz Schillens!!! But I'm tempering my excitement, perhaps because I'm not a senile Oakland owner who wears bling and track suits to work...)
Season Record: 0-0 (Probably the best it's going to be all year...)
Deacon Touchback
Normally this will get posted on Friday, but this week is special.
I'll also keep a season-running total at the bottom each week, and see how I've done at the end of the year.
So without any further delay, get ready for nonsense and mediocre (at best) football picks!!!
Deacon Touchback's Week One picks: (WINNERS IN CAPS)
Tennessee @ PITTSBURGH (Should be a good game, I have too many questions about the Titan Offense, and it's extremely tough to go against the best defence from last season, at home, on the night they are raising their sixth Super Bowl banner)
Kansas City @ BALTIMORE (Kansas City is suckass, and the Ravens' defence is a hornets nest...Enough said)
PHILADELPHIA @ Carolina (Carolina won 12 games last year, runs the ball so well, is at home, and has a mammoth offensive line. So why do I find it so hard to like them this year???)
MINNESOTA @ Cleveland (Once Mangini stops running his team like it's kindergarten, keeping secrets, etc. then maybe I'll stop thinking the Browns will get pummeled every week)
Miami @ ATLANTA (Are the Falcons and Matt Ryan aka 'Matty Ice', for real? Probably just as real as how the Dolphins will feel when they come back down to earth and take a couple steps back from last year with their ugly 2009 schedule)
Detroit @ NEW ORLEANS (The Saints can't play defence, but the Lions are still the Lions. New Orleans loves to throw, has tons of weapons, and has that Drew Brees guy who is pretty darn good. Detroit's secondary might be improved, but isn't deep, and that'll show when the Saints keep them in the nickel and dime for the majority of the game with three and four wide receiver sets. Let's see how deep Detroit's regular season losing hole can go...)
Jacksonville @ INDIANAPOLIS (Not sure if the Jacksonville run game and front 4 will be enough to trump Opie and the Colts at home...)
Denver @ CINCINNATI (I like the Bengals to bounce back this year, and until Kyle Orton does something to make me forget that left-handed interception toss from pre-season, I'm going to bet against the Broncos...unless they play the Chiefs)
DALLAS @ Tampa Bay (With the T.O. show gone to Buffalo, will flying under the radar actually help the Cowboys this year? That remains to be seen, but this week it doesn't matter, because the Bucs suck)
NY Jets @ HOUSTON (Get that first win at home before making a case for the playoffs and a division crown?? Sign me up. I'm all about the Texans this year...Plus, Houston's not an easy place to play, especially for a rookie quarterback...Sorry Mark Sanchez...your winless start to your career starts here, and might not end until after your bye-week in Week 5)
St. Louis @ SEATTLE (Should be an entertaining game like most times these teams meet, but I just think the Seahawks suck a little less than the Rams right now)
Washington @ NY GIANTS (I really want to go the other way in this one, and wont be surprised if the Giants lose because of what their offense looked like after Plax was gone last year. Plus, if I told you the Redskins were the 4th ranked defence last year according to yards allowed per game, you'd think I was a liar, but it's true. Then they added Albert Haynesworth to a defensive unit that was better against the pass than the run, and ranked in the top ten in both. See how this game might be closer than you think? But then I say the name 'Jason Campbell' out loud and...)
San Francisco @ ARIZONA (If this game happens later down the road I might change my mind, but I'm not sure if Week 1 is the time to get crazy with this division matchup; Mike Singletary WANTS WINNERS, but I have no idea if he's found them yet...)
CHICAGO @ Green Bay (Definitely my homer-pick of the week; the Bears might have to win this game scoring 30+ points, but with Jay Cutler, this is the first time in my lifetime of being a Bears' fan that this is a realistic possibility week to week)
Buffalo @ NEW ENGLAND (Hmm, the Bills fire their offensive coordinator, and go to New England. Did you know that last year the BIlls were 1-8 against teams who employ 3-4 defensive schemes? Toss in some exotic looks and the ability to disguise those fronts, and Trent Edwards could be in for a long day. If only I could buy UP the spread...)
SAN DIEGO @ Oakland (This game might actually be closer than one might think, at least early on, but the Chargers will want to show the AFC West who's boss...and I can't get excited about JaMarcus Russell, at least until he's passing to a dude named Chaz Schillens who is out of this game with an injury...what a name...Chaz Schillens!!! But I'm tempering my excitement, perhaps because I'm not a senile Oakland owner who wears bling and track suits to work...)
Season Record: 0-0 (Probably the best it's going to be all year...)
Deacon Touchback
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
'Twas the Night Before Christmas...
It's pretty much how I feel right now.
As I type this, we are less than 24 hours away from the kickoff to the 2009 NFL season.
So much has happened in the league since the Pittsburgh Steelers hoisted their sixth Super Bowl title, and the stage is set for another dramatic season in the NFL.
Tonight, the 2008 AFC regular season champion Tennessee Titans head into Steel City to take on the defending Super Bowl Champions.
Since the NFL decided to feature the defending champions in the regular season opening game on Thursday night (Since Indianapolis headed to New England in 2004, losing 27-24 to the Patriots), the road team record in those games is 0-5. At least 4 of those 5 times, the defending champions have also covered the spread (I can't remember what the spread was in 2004...).
History shows that the road team is destined to lose the opening game if we take a look at the last 5 years. In addition, only once has the road team gone on to post a winning record in the regular season if they had to open against the defending champs in Week 1 (the 2004 Indianapolis Colts went 12-4 in the regular season).
So what does that mean about tomorrow night's game?
It's the NFL, who knows.
If you like to bet with trends, then you probably are going to pick the Steelers, and pick them to cover the 6.5 point spread that Vegas currently lists.
If you're like me, and like to bet against trends sometimes, then you probably go out on a limb and say that the Titans go into Heinz Field and pull off the upset, despite losing DT Albert Haynesworth (one of the league's most dominant defensive tackles, when he wants to be)to free agency in the offseason.
I think this game is going to be closer than the spread indicates, and Tennessee might even be able to squeak out a victory if a few things go their way.
Tennessee is well-coached, and Jeff Fischer knows that the Pittsburgh defence is going to do it's best to attack the line of scrimmage aggressively through the middle to try and get Titans QB Kerry Collins outside of the pocket on passing downs. I can see Tennessee utilizing TEs Alge Crumpler and Bo Sciafe in earlier down situations to try and stretch the Steeler defense. A key to success for the Titans tonight will be whether or not they can stay out of second-and-long and third-and-long situations. On defence, the Titans need to make sure the Steelers cannot establish a run game early in the game, and find ways to get to the quarterback. And of course, doing these things early in a game never hurt a road team if they're able to quiet the home crowd early on.
Pittsburgh will most likely test out the interior run game in the abscence of DT Albert Haynesworth to control the ball and set up their play-action passing game. Of course this is easier said than done. If the Steelers can get a little bit of a run game going, and set up one-on-one matchups for QB Ben Roethlisberger to exploit, the Titans may be in for a long night. Defensively, the Steelers should use a combination of blitz and stunt blitz packages and try to put the Titans in long yardage situations on passing downs. Safety Troy Polamalu is at his best in those situations, and the Steelers would love to get at Kerry Collins early.
It's hard to go against the defending champions in this game, and I'm finding it hard to do so for a reason better than 'you never know, it's the NFL'. But that's really the truth of the situation here. I wouldn't be surprised if the Titans win, because when you have the advantage in the trenches, you have a very good chance to win games in this league, as long as you protect the football and don't put yourself in bad situations.
It's a game that could potentially have home-field advantage implications down the road, or it could be the beginning of a disappointing season for the losing team if you look at trends. Then again, the 2009 Titans are far from the 2005 Raiders, 2006 Dolphins, and 2007 Saints. Tennessee went 13-3 in the regular season last year before shooting themselves in the foot in the AFC divisional playoff against Baltimore.
There's no question that they'll be hungry.
But it's hard to start off the year betting against the team that's hoisting the banner on opening night.
Deacon's Prediction: Pittsburgh 23, Tennessee 16
Deacon Touchback
**All of my Week One predictions will be up later today.
As I type this, we are less than 24 hours away from the kickoff to the 2009 NFL season.
So much has happened in the league since the Pittsburgh Steelers hoisted their sixth Super Bowl title, and the stage is set for another dramatic season in the NFL.
Tonight, the 2008 AFC regular season champion Tennessee Titans head into Steel City to take on the defending Super Bowl Champions.
Since the NFL decided to feature the defending champions in the regular season opening game on Thursday night (Since Indianapolis headed to New England in 2004, losing 27-24 to the Patriots), the road team record in those games is 0-5. At least 4 of those 5 times, the defending champions have also covered the spread (I can't remember what the spread was in 2004...).
History shows that the road team is destined to lose the opening game if we take a look at the last 5 years. In addition, only once has the road team gone on to post a winning record in the regular season if they had to open against the defending champs in Week 1 (the 2004 Indianapolis Colts went 12-4 in the regular season).
So what does that mean about tomorrow night's game?
It's the NFL, who knows.
If you like to bet with trends, then you probably are going to pick the Steelers, and pick them to cover the 6.5 point spread that Vegas currently lists.
If you're like me, and like to bet against trends sometimes, then you probably go out on a limb and say that the Titans go into Heinz Field and pull off the upset, despite losing DT Albert Haynesworth (one of the league's most dominant defensive tackles, when he wants to be)to free agency in the offseason.
I think this game is going to be closer than the spread indicates, and Tennessee might even be able to squeak out a victory if a few things go their way.
Tennessee is well-coached, and Jeff Fischer knows that the Pittsburgh defence is going to do it's best to attack the line of scrimmage aggressively through the middle to try and get Titans QB Kerry Collins outside of the pocket on passing downs. I can see Tennessee utilizing TEs Alge Crumpler and Bo Sciafe in earlier down situations to try and stretch the Steeler defense. A key to success for the Titans tonight will be whether or not they can stay out of second-and-long and third-and-long situations. On defence, the Titans need to make sure the Steelers cannot establish a run game early in the game, and find ways to get to the quarterback. And of course, doing these things early in a game never hurt a road team if they're able to quiet the home crowd early on.
Pittsburgh will most likely test out the interior run game in the abscence of DT Albert Haynesworth to control the ball and set up their play-action passing game. Of course this is easier said than done. If the Steelers can get a little bit of a run game going, and set up one-on-one matchups for QB Ben Roethlisberger to exploit, the Titans may be in for a long night. Defensively, the Steelers should use a combination of blitz and stunt blitz packages and try to put the Titans in long yardage situations on passing downs. Safety Troy Polamalu is at his best in those situations, and the Steelers would love to get at Kerry Collins early.
It's hard to go against the defending champions in this game, and I'm finding it hard to do so for a reason better than 'you never know, it's the NFL'. But that's really the truth of the situation here. I wouldn't be surprised if the Titans win, because when you have the advantage in the trenches, you have a very good chance to win games in this league, as long as you protect the football and don't put yourself in bad situations.
It's a game that could potentially have home-field advantage implications down the road, or it could be the beginning of a disappointing season for the losing team if you look at trends. Then again, the 2009 Titans are far from the 2005 Raiders, 2006 Dolphins, and 2007 Saints. Tennessee went 13-3 in the regular season last year before shooting themselves in the foot in the AFC divisional playoff against Baltimore.
There's no question that they'll be hungry.
But it's hard to start off the year betting against the team that's hoisting the banner on opening night.
Deacon's Prediction: Pittsburgh 23, Tennessee 16
Deacon Touchback
**All of my Week One predictions will be up later today.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
When Angry Ducks Invade Smurf Turf
Despite the bulk of this blog being devoted to the NFL, from time to time I'm going to write about college football.
Now I know that most people aren't into college football and that's understandable. Where's the time to watch all this football? Why should I care about Virginia Tech? Where the hell is Notre Dame anyways? (It's in Indiana for those who care...)
The truth of the matter is, with so many Division I college football teams out there, it's obviously hard to follow the game or even get excited about it. There are alot of bad games. I'll be the first to say it.
Not to mention that typically, the first couple of weeks of college football tend to be a little bland. Normally, because teams do their own out of conference scheduling, and because there are no preseason games. As a result, teams like to schedule a 'warmup' kind of game against a weaker opponent to get into things. Take Florida for example. This year, the Gators open up the season against the Buccaneers of Charleston Southern. Florida is a 73 point favorite in that game, and you know what, I might just bet them to cover that point spread (aka beat CSU by more than 73 points).
But this year, there are a good handful of Week One games that have a huge impact on the season that lies ahead. (#13 Georgia @ #9 Oklahoma State; #20 Brigham Young @ #2 Oklahoma; #5 Alabama @ #7 Virginia Tech)
Those games are all on Saturday (Check your local listings), but there's a huge game tonight.
Tonight at 10:15 PM ET, the #16 ranked Oregon Ducks travel to #14 ranked Boise State to take on the Broncos on their blue home turf. That's right. The turf is blue...Check it out here.
What so special about this turf? Well nothing really, other than the fact that it's blue. But the Broncos have not lost a game on their 'smurf turf' since a 2001 loss to Washington State. That's 49 straight wins at home.
So why is this going to be such a good game to watch? Isn't Boise State going to make it 50 straight wins in a row tonight?
Well, they could. However, Oregon will have something to say about that.
If you like football and you like innovative, high scoring offenses that produce high-scoring games, then you should be watching the game tonight.
Vegas oddsmakers have set the Over/Under line at 64 points. That's telling you something right there, and folks, these guys know what they are doing. Vegas wasn't built because people make money off these betting lines. THEY do.
Heck, Oregon themselves might put up 40 points (they averaged 41.9 points a game last year). The Ducks' offense averages more plays per minute than any other team in football. Not just college football, the sport of football. That includes the NFL, too.
Not to mention that last year when the two teams faced, Boise State knocked out Oregon's starting QB Jeremiah Massoli with a hit that was deemed late by officials. Massoli left the game with a concussion in his first career start, and the Broncos left Oregon with a 37-32 win.
In 2008, Boise State went on to finish a perfect 12-0 in the regular season after winning that game. However, a perfect season was spoiled in the Poinsetta Bowl when the Broncos lost 17-16 to Texas Christian.
If the Broncos can get a win at home, a look at their schedule suggests that they could once again go undefeated in their regular season, get back to a BCS Bowl game, and at least be able to have a crying argument, albeit a slim one, to earn a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.
For those of you that don't know, college football's title is decided in the BCS National Championship Game and is based on voting as opposed to a playoff of sorts. The whole process is really confusing and is always a subject of debate (some people, including Barack Obama, would like to see college football move to a playoff system). Basically, what you need to know is that information is used in some kind of formula to determine team rankings that includes things like overall record, strength of schedule, etc. So basically, if you have a good record, and beat good teams, you improve your BCS ranking. Therefore, it's in the best interest of teams to play good competition outside of their conference games, in order to boost their ranking.
Better teams play in the better "Bowl" games at the end of the year. Bowl games equal money for a school's athletic program, as well as national exposure, which in turn helps recruiting, sales, etc. The mack daddy of these games, is the BCS National Championship Game. Last year, the Florida Gators beat the Oklahoma Sooners 24-14 for those that don't know.
For a team like Boise State who is part of a weaker overall conference (Western Athletic Conference), a win tonight against a Top 25 team helps their ranking. It would further help the Broncos if later in the year Oregon were to beat a couple Top 25 teams in their conference (Pacific-10). The #4 ranked USC Trojans and #12 ranked California Bears both have to travel to Oregon this year and face the Ducks in Auzten Stadium. Let's say that Oregon wins both of those games. Voters would look back and say, "Well, that was a darn good football team that Boise State beat back in Week One" and Boise State's ranking would thus improve.
See, it's all really complex.
Anyways, this just illustrates why tonight's game is so important. One could make the argument that whoever loses tonight will be leaving themselves only an outside shot (at best) to compete for the National Championship in January.
So unlike most seasons in college football when PowerHouse University heads over to Meat Packer's State University (Not that there's anything wrong with meat packing) tonight's game will mean alot down the road this season in the land of College Football.
But we're getting ahead of ourselves. They haven't even played tonight's game...
Either one of these teams can win tonight, and a case can be made from both sides as to who the better team is. We have no idea how well these teams are prepared. After all, we're talking about 19 and 20-some year olds here.
The oddsmakers like Boise State and are making them 3 point favorites over the visiting Ducks.
Oregon will hope to have something to say about that. Let's just say the Ducks are looking to prove them wrong, and quack all over "The Blue" in Bronco's Stadium tonight.
- Deacon Touchback
Now I know that most people aren't into college football and that's understandable. Where's the time to watch all this football? Why should I care about Virginia Tech? Where the hell is Notre Dame anyways? (It's in Indiana for those who care...)
The truth of the matter is, with so many Division I college football teams out there, it's obviously hard to follow the game or even get excited about it. There are alot of bad games. I'll be the first to say it.
Not to mention that typically, the first couple of weeks of college football tend to be a little bland. Normally, because teams do their own out of conference scheduling, and because there are no preseason games. As a result, teams like to schedule a 'warmup' kind of game against a weaker opponent to get into things. Take Florida for example. This year, the Gators open up the season against the Buccaneers of Charleston Southern. Florida is a 73 point favorite in that game, and you know what, I might just bet them to cover that point spread (aka beat CSU by more than 73 points).
But this year, there are a good handful of Week One games that have a huge impact on the season that lies ahead. (#13 Georgia @ #9 Oklahoma State; #20 Brigham Young @ #2 Oklahoma; #5 Alabama @ #7 Virginia Tech)
Those games are all on Saturday (Check your local listings), but there's a huge game tonight.
Tonight at 10:15 PM ET, the #16 ranked Oregon Ducks travel to #14 ranked Boise State to take on the Broncos on their blue home turf. That's right. The turf is blue...Check it out here.
What so special about this turf? Well nothing really, other than the fact that it's blue. But the Broncos have not lost a game on their 'smurf turf' since a 2001 loss to Washington State. That's 49 straight wins at home.
So why is this going to be such a good game to watch? Isn't Boise State going to make it 50 straight wins in a row tonight?
Well, they could. However, Oregon will have something to say about that.
If you like football and you like innovative, high scoring offenses that produce high-scoring games, then you should be watching the game tonight.
Vegas oddsmakers have set the Over/Under line at 64 points. That's telling you something right there, and folks, these guys know what they are doing. Vegas wasn't built because people make money off these betting lines. THEY do.
Heck, Oregon themselves might put up 40 points (they averaged 41.9 points a game last year). The Ducks' offense averages more plays per minute than any other team in football. Not just college football, the sport of football. That includes the NFL, too.
Not to mention that last year when the two teams faced, Boise State knocked out Oregon's starting QB Jeremiah Massoli with a hit that was deemed late by officials. Massoli left the game with a concussion in his first career start, and the Broncos left Oregon with a 37-32 win.
In 2008, Boise State went on to finish a perfect 12-0 in the regular season after winning that game. However, a perfect season was spoiled in the Poinsetta Bowl when the Broncos lost 17-16 to Texas Christian.
If the Broncos can get a win at home, a look at their schedule suggests that they could once again go undefeated in their regular season, get back to a BCS Bowl game, and at least be able to have a crying argument, albeit a slim one, to earn a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.
For those of you that don't know, college football's title is decided in the BCS National Championship Game and is based on voting as opposed to a playoff of sorts. The whole process is really confusing and is always a subject of debate (some people, including Barack Obama, would like to see college football move to a playoff system). Basically, what you need to know is that information is used in some kind of formula to determine team rankings that includes things like overall record, strength of schedule, etc. So basically, if you have a good record, and beat good teams, you improve your BCS ranking. Therefore, it's in the best interest of teams to play good competition outside of their conference games, in order to boost their ranking.
Better teams play in the better "Bowl" games at the end of the year. Bowl games equal money for a school's athletic program, as well as national exposure, which in turn helps recruiting, sales, etc. The mack daddy of these games, is the BCS National Championship Game. Last year, the Florida Gators beat the Oklahoma Sooners 24-14 for those that don't know.
For a team like Boise State who is part of a weaker overall conference (Western Athletic Conference), a win tonight against a Top 25 team helps their ranking. It would further help the Broncos if later in the year Oregon were to beat a couple Top 25 teams in their conference (Pacific-10). The #4 ranked USC Trojans and #12 ranked California Bears both have to travel to Oregon this year and face the Ducks in Auzten Stadium. Let's say that Oregon wins both of those games. Voters would look back and say, "Well, that was a darn good football team that Boise State beat back in Week One" and Boise State's ranking would thus improve.
See, it's all really complex.
Anyways, this just illustrates why tonight's game is so important. One could make the argument that whoever loses tonight will be leaving themselves only an outside shot (at best) to compete for the National Championship in January.
So unlike most seasons in college football when PowerHouse University heads over to Meat Packer's State University (Not that there's anything wrong with meat packing) tonight's game will mean alot down the road this season in the land of College Football.
But we're getting ahead of ourselves. They haven't even played tonight's game...
Either one of these teams can win tonight, and a case can be made from both sides as to who the better team is. We have no idea how well these teams are prepared. After all, we're talking about 19 and 20-some year olds here.
The oddsmakers like Boise State and are making them 3 point favorites over the visiting Ducks.
Oregon will hope to have something to say about that. Let's just say the Ducks are looking to prove them wrong, and quack all over "The Blue" in Bronco's Stadium tonight.
- Deacon Touchback
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
"When It's Game Time, It's Pain Time Baby! Woooooo!"
In light of football season being right around the corner, and this blog being more than likely something everyone is going to read while killing time at work, in the office, or in another setting where you'd rather not be doing what you're supposed to, I wanted to share something with everyone.
It's an old Reebok commercial called "Terry Tate: Office Linebacker", and at the end of this short post I'll post the link to one of the handful of videos in the Office Linebacker series.
So if you need a good laugh today check out one of the best football related commercials ever. I can guarantee you're going to enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU1jra7RKCQ
- Deacon Touchback
It's an old Reebok commercial called "Terry Tate: Office Linebacker", and at the end of this short post I'll post the link to one of the handful of videos in the Office Linebacker series.
So if you need a good laugh today check out one of the best football related commercials ever. I can guarantee you're going to enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU1jra7RKCQ
- Deacon Touchback
Monday, August 31, 2009
On the final day of August....
On the final day of August when you live in a city like Edmonton, a person is usually reminded of the things that they are close to losing, or have already lost.
Teachers and students head back into the classroom and vacation time is over.
The roads become busier with traffic in the morning and afternoon and city-wide road rage will experience a sharp increase.
The days continue to get shorter as the sun begins to set a little earlier each night, and slowly but surely, any semblance of enjoyable weather will begin to disappear.
If you try hard enough, you can step outside and feel the overwhelming silence that blankets the city at night, underneath the stars, as another short summer comes to an end.
But for a fan of the NFL, a simple glance into the sky at night will reveal one star that shines brighter than them all. A star that represents something beautiful in the midst of so many things ugly. A star, whose light will brighten the darkest of nights for the next six months.
Friends, another NFL Football Season is upon us. Let us pray...
As the third week of the 2009 NFL Preseason has come to a close tonight, it means that the opening game for the 2009 NFL Regular Season is merely 10 days away, and is something that an NFL junkie has had a craving for since the Pittsburgh Steelers hoisted their NFL-record sixth Super Bowl Championship in February.
On Thursday, September 10, the Pittsburgh Steelers will begin their title defense, and kick off the 2009 season at home against the Tennessee Titans, who still surely have a bitter taste in their mouth from a loss at home to the Baltimore Ravens in last year's AFC Divisional Playoff.
And the story lines don't stop there...
After being released from prison two years after being indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to illegal dogfighting, Michael Vick has made a return to the NFL. When conditionally reinstated by the league, it was simply a matter of time before Vick would find a new home. In the middle of August, after signing Vick to a two-year deal, the Philadelphia Eagles instantly became the most interesting story of the 2009 NFL Season.
Not to be outdone during the offseason, in typical form, Brett Favre inked a deal with the Minnesota Vikings four days later to come out of retirement for the second time in two years. Since then, Favre has appeared in two preseason games for the Vikings, giving football fans something they would never imagined in their wildest dreams when Favre was a Green Bay Packer: Favre in purple and white, sleeping with the enemy.
Not to mention all the other changes to monitor, and questions that will need to be answered.
How long will disgruntled Bronco WR Brandon Marshall be in Denver or continue his immature antics and conduct that has been deemed detrimental to the team? Will the team-imposed suspension leak over into the regular season?
How will Patriot's QB Tom Brady hold up one year after a season-ending knee injury sustained last year in Week One vs. Kansas City? If anyone has been watching the pre-season games, New England offense (aka the Death Star) appears fully operational, and could possibly do some 2007-like damage once again.
Is Kansas City QB Matt Cassel ready to be the man for the Chiefs and earn that six-year, $63 million contract?
Are the New York Jets possibly stunting the development of rookie QB Mark Sanchez by handing him the starting job too quickly?
How will Terrell Owens affect the offensive production in Buffalo as the newest member of the Bills?
Can Kurt Warner stay healthy and upright for another season and lead the Arizona Cardinals back to the Super Bowl? Or will age catch up with the future hall-of-fame QB and cast Matt Leinart (aka Party Matt) into the fire?
How will Jay Cutler fare in his new home in Chicago after his departure from Denver? How much better will the addition of a franchise calibre quarterback make the Monsters of the Midway? How much Cutler-kool-aid are we Bears fans drinking these days?
Who will come out on top in the brutal NFC East division?
When will the Detroit Lions finally win a regular season game?
And of course...what will Monday Night Football be like without its beloved John Madden?
Toss in massive coaching changes and player movement, and the table is set for another fantastic NFL season.
The star is shining bright, and I'm sure that I'm not the only one that is saying goodbye to summer with a smile.
- Deacon Touchback
Teachers and students head back into the classroom and vacation time is over.
The roads become busier with traffic in the morning and afternoon and city-wide road rage will experience a sharp increase.
The days continue to get shorter as the sun begins to set a little earlier each night, and slowly but surely, any semblance of enjoyable weather will begin to disappear.
If you try hard enough, you can step outside and feel the overwhelming silence that blankets the city at night, underneath the stars, as another short summer comes to an end.
But for a fan of the NFL, a simple glance into the sky at night will reveal one star that shines brighter than them all. A star that represents something beautiful in the midst of so many things ugly. A star, whose light will brighten the darkest of nights for the next six months.
Friends, another NFL Football Season is upon us. Let us pray...
As the third week of the 2009 NFL Preseason has come to a close tonight, it means that the opening game for the 2009 NFL Regular Season is merely 10 days away, and is something that an NFL junkie has had a craving for since the Pittsburgh Steelers hoisted their NFL-record sixth Super Bowl Championship in February.
On Thursday, September 10, the Pittsburgh Steelers will begin their title defense, and kick off the 2009 season at home against the Tennessee Titans, who still surely have a bitter taste in their mouth from a loss at home to the Baltimore Ravens in last year's AFC Divisional Playoff.
And the story lines don't stop there...
After being released from prison two years after being indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to illegal dogfighting, Michael Vick has made a return to the NFL. When conditionally reinstated by the league, it was simply a matter of time before Vick would find a new home. In the middle of August, after signing Vick to a two-year deal, the Philadelphia Eagles instantly became the most interesting story of the 2009 NFL Season.
Not to be outdone during the offseason, in typical form, Brett Favre inked a deal with the Minnesota Vikings four days later to come out of retirement for the second time in two years. Since then, Favre has appeared in two preseason games for the Vikings, giving football fans something they would never imagined in their wildest dreams when Favre was a Green Bay Packer: Favre in purple and white, sleeping with the enemy.
Not to mention all the other changes to monitor, and questions that will need to be answered.
How long will disgruntled Bronco WR Brandon Marshall be in Denver or continue his immature antics and conduct that has been deemed detrimental to the team? Will the team-imposed suspension leak over into the regular season?
How will Patriot's QB Tom Brady hold up one year after a season-ending knee injury sustained last year in Week One vs. Kansas City? If anyone has been watching the pre-season games, New England offense (aka the Death Star) appears fully operational, and could possibly do some 2007-like damage once again.
Is Kansas City QB Matt Cassel ready to be the man for the Chiefs and earn that six-year, $63 million contract?
Are the New York Jets possibly stunting the development of rookie QB Mark Sanchez by handing him the starting job too quickly?
How will Terrell Owens affect the offensive production in Buffalo as the newest member of the Bills?
Can Kurt Warner stay healthy and upright for another season and lead the Arizona Cardinals back to the Super Bowl? Or will age catch up with the future hall-of-fame QB and cast Matt Leinart (aka Party Matt) into the fire?
How will Jay Cutler fare in his new home in Chicago after his departure from Denver? How much better will the addition of a franchise calibre quarterback make the Monsters of the Midway? How much Cutler-kool-aid are we Bears fans drinking these days?
Who will come out on top in the brutal NFC East division?
When will the Detroit Lions finally win a regular season game?
And of course...what will Monday Night Football be like without its beloved John Madden?
Toss in massive coaching changes and player movement, and the table is set for another fantastic NFL season.
The star is shining bright, and I'm sure that I'm not the only one that is saying goodbye to summer with a smile.
- Deacon Touchback
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